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THE AIR SCOUT 


1 











THE BIG WAR SERIES 


THE AIR SCOUT 


An American Boy’s Adventures When 
the Big War in Europe Began 


BY 

ROSS KAY 

Author of “The Search for the Spy,” etc. 

ILLUSTRATIONS BY 

THOMAS N. WRENN 


NEW YORK 
BARSE & HOPKINS 
PUBLISHERS 


t 


Copyright, 1914, 
by 

BARSE & HOPKINS 


OCT 14 1914 


©Cl. A 38 0861 


PREFACE 


The deeds of the aviators have played no small 
part in the big European war. The practical, 
and at times deadly, work of the daring air scouts 
has appealed to the imagination and the love of 
adventure, shared by American boys with their 
friends across the sea. 

The writer of this tale has used accounts and 
reports which in the main he believes to be reli- 
able. His object has been to interest his young 
readers not merely in the adventures and experi- 
ences of the hero, but also in the causes and ac- 
tions of the great war itself. He has tried to 
avoid improbable and sensational deeds. He has 
visited most of the places to which reference has 
been made. 

One strong motive in writing this story of our 
own times has been the hope that his young read- 
ers will gain a clearer insight into the causes of 
the struggle, the battles fought, and the results 
achieved. History in the making ought to be as 
interesting as history that has been made. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I An Accident .... . . . . 11 

II Disabled ......... 18 

III A New Friend . . . .... 25 

IV The Air Scout . . . . . . . 32 

V Rumors of War ....... 39 

VI War is Declared . . 46 

VII Stranded 53 

VIII Refugees . 60 

IX A New Misfortune ...... 68 

X The Invaders Appear 76 

XI A Fight Starts .85 

XII A Fresh Disaster 94 

XIII A Night in the Open 101 

XIV In the Midst of the Enemy . . . 109 

XV An Old Friend 119 

XVI In the French Lines . . . . . 129 

XVII A Soldier of France ...... 138 

XVIII A Serious Mishap . 147 

XIX A Narrow Escape ...... 156 

XX The Field of Wheat . . . ,. . 165 

XXI A Perilous Expedition ..... 174 

XXII A Brush With the Uhlans . . . 182 

XXIII One Bomb Too Many ..... 191 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


CHAPTER 

XXIV A Daring Attempt . . . . . 202 

XXV A Race for Life 212 

XXVI Before the Battle 222 

XXVII The Battle is On 233 

XXVHI Conclusion • . . . .... 244 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

There were evidently two men in each 
machine but it was impossible to tell what 
flags were showing. . . Frontispiece 

When Leon opened his eyes a few moments 
later he found himself lying under the 
hedge by the roadside. . . . 18 

The news spread like wildfire throughout 
the city S3 

Seizing it in both hands Jacques swung it 
around his head. .... 246 



THE AIR SCOUT 


CHAPTER I 

AN ACCIDENT 


B 


i ON jour, Monsieur. How can I serve 
Monsieur this morning ?” 

“I want to hire a motorcycle.” 

Leon Platt was the speaker. He was an Amer- 
ican boy of seventeen, spending the summer of 
1914 in Europe. He and his twin brother Earl 
had come over in the same steamer and after being 
together in England for a brief time had sepa- 
rated. Earl had remained in England to visit 
some friends, while Leon had journeyed across 
the rough English Channel to France. 

The boys had both French and English blood 
in their veins. In fact, Leon had been named for 
a great-uncle of his, Leon Guy, in his time a 
prominent physician in Paris. At present he was 
visiting an uncle and aunt who lived in France. 

11 


12 THE AIR SCOUT 

Their home was in Faubourg St. Germain. 
The word “ faubourg’ ’ means suburb and the Fau- 
bourg St. Germain was a pretty little suburb of 
Paris. Here Leon had arrived a few days before 
the opening of this story and here he expected 
to stay for a short time before continuing his 
travels in different parts of Europe. 

When at home in America both he and his 
brother Earl were accustomed to riding motor- 
cycles. Each boy was the proud owner of a ma- 
chine and they often had assured each other that 
there was no part of the machinery they could 
not immediately adjust in case of accident. Mr. 
Platt had often laughingly remarked that he be- 
lieved his boys could tell exactly what was wrong 
with the engines, merely by the sound. At any 
rate they were experts, and especially Leon. 

He had not seen very much of France thus far, 
but one thing had caught his attention when he 
first had entered the beautiful land. Gazing 
from the train windows on his journey from 
Calais to Paris, he had noticed the wonderful 
roads. Hard and white they were, smooth as the 
top of a table, and they seemed to extend end- 


AN ACCIDENT 


13 


lessly into the country. To an enthusiastic 
motorcyclist like Leon these straight, wide roads 
meant only one thing. He promised himself that 
at the earliest possible moment he would secure a 
machine and try them out. 

His uncle had directed him to a shop where 
motorcycles were to be rented, and thither Leon 
made his way the first time an opportunity pre- 
sented itself. The proprietor, a talkative French- 
man, hastened to meet him as soon as he stepped 
inside the door and it was in response to his ques- 
tion that Leon had made his request for a motor- 
cycle. 

“Monsieur is familiar with the motorcycles V 9 
said the proprietor in a dubious tone. 

“Oh, yes, I think so,” laughed Leon. “I ought 
to be, for I have ridden one long enough.” 

“A French machine ?” 

“No, never a French cycle. Only American 
makes, but they are all about the same, I guess.” 

“I suppose so, but I do not like to have people 
ride my machines who do not know how to do it. 
You understand?” 

“Yes, indeed,” exclaimed Leon. “I don’t 


14 


THE AIR SCOUT 


blame you a bit, either. I do know how though 
and I think I can soon show you that I do.” 

“Very well, Monsieur. This way if you 
please. ,, 

The proprietor led the way to the rear of his 
shop where the motorcycles were lined up along 
the wall. 

“I like this one,” exclaimed Leon, at once walk- 
ing up to a bright crimson-colored machine. It 
was long and low and sturdy looking, but what 
had caught Leon’s attention particularly was the 
fact that it had four cylinders. 

“Ah, but, Monsieur, that is not my machine. 
It belongs to one of my clients, who but keeps it 
here.” 

“Have you no others like it!” inquired Leon 
disappointedly. He had singled out that particu- 
lar one as it gave the appearance of speed, and 
speed was what Leon most wanted. Those fine 
hard roads looked like ideal race-tracks to him, 
and he hoped for a burst of speed perhaps with 
an automobile or another motorcycle. 

“Yes, Monsieur, I have one just like it. 
But — ” the dealer hastened to add as Leon ex- 


AN ACCIDENT 15 

claimed delightedly, “it is out just at the pres- 
ent.” 

1 1 When will it be in ?” asked Leon dejectedly. 

“I cannot say, Monsieur. I am sorry, but will 
not Monsieur try any other ?” 

“I suppose so, if I can’t have that one. I’d 
certainly like to try that out, though.” 

As he spoke there was a roar and a quick series 
of reports in front of the shop. A man covered 
with dust and dirt, on a big, blue, four-cylinder 
motorcycle, had just drawn up at the curb. 

“That is it now,” exclaimed the proprietor. 
“He is back sooner than I thought.” 

“That’s great!” cried Leon. “And I may 
have it?” 

“Certainly, if this gentleman is finished with 
it. I shall go for to find out.” 

The proprietor hastened out to the street and 
after a short conversation with the cyclist, re- 
turned to say that Leon might use the machine. 

“You are certain you know how?” he again 
urged cautiously. “I would not want my fine 
machine broken, nor would I want you killed 
either. ’ ’ 


16 


THE AIR SCOUT 


4 ‘No danger of that,” laughed Leon. “Let me 
show you.” 

Mounting the motorcycle he started the engine. 
The controls were on the handle bars and he 
speeded the motor until it almost roared and 
then slowing it down he started off and took a 
few turns around the street. 

“I think Monsieur knows all right,” said the 
proprietor admiringly when Leon returned to the 
place where he was standing. 

“I may use it?” asked Leon. 

“Certainly. We will see if everything is in 
order and then you may start.” 

Together they looked over the machine. A 
fresh supply of oil and gasoline was added and 
soon Leon was ready to go. 

“How fast will she go?” he inquired as he sat 
on the machine waiting to start. 

The proprietor shrugged his shoulders and 
laughed. “There is no use for me to tell Mon- 
sieur, for he would not believe me.” 

“All right,” laughed Leon. “I’ll find out for 
myself. ’ 1 

A short time later he was in the open country. 


AN ACCIDENT 


17 


The roads proved as good as they looked and 
Leon was supremely happy. He had not let out 
his machine to its full extent but he had traveled 
faster than a mile a minute at times. The ma- 
chine was a beauty and Leon already was revolv- 
ing schemes in his mind for some day owning one 
like it. At the end of a half-hour he came to the 
top of a steep hill. At the bottom was a right- 
angled turn, and a high hedge by the roadside 
prevented a complete sight of the road. 

Leon slowed up as much as possible down this 
slope, but he still was moving at high speed, for 
the motorcycle was heavy and hard to brake. He 
blew his horn as he neared the bottom but just as 
he turned the corner he crashed head on into a 
motorcyclist rounding the turn from the opposite 
direction. 


CHAPTER II 


DISABLED 

W HEN Leon opened Ms eyes a few mo- 
ments later lie found Mmself lying 
under tlie hedge by the roadside. A 
young Frenchman was fanning him with his 
jacket, which he held in his two hands and 
snapped in Leon’s face in very much the same 
manner that trainers fan the athletes in their 
charge. 

“ Where am I?” exclaimed Leon dazedly. His 
head ached and he felt sore all over his body. 

“You are by the road,” replied the Frenchman 
in English that had only a slight accent. 

“Oh, yes, I remember,” said Leon. “I was on 
a motorcycle, I think.” 

“You think correctly,” laughed the Frenchman. 
“You are no longer on it now, however, and you 
left your seat more quickly than ever I have seen 
one do so before.” 


18 


DISABLED 19 

“The machine !” exclaimed Leon. “Is it dam- 
aged very much!” 

“Not at all. A few scratches only.” 

Leon tried to sit up, but fell back with a groan. 
His head almost seemed to be splitting, and when 
he moved he felt pains in every part of his body. 

“Do not attempt to move,” cautioned the 
Frenchman. “There is plenty of time.” 

Leon lay back and closed his eyes. Small black 
objects danced in front of his gaze and he felt as 
if he should faint. Soon he felt better, however, 
and opened his eyes once more. The young 
Frenchman had brought both motorcycles and 
placed them alongside the road, out of the way 
of passing vehicles. 

Leon watched him interestedly and wondered 
who he could be. At any rate, thought Leon, he 
was pretty good to take so much trouble for a 
man who had run into him. 

“Aren’t you hurt!” exclaimed Leon as the 
young Frenchman came up to him once more. “I 
haven’t even asked you that.” 

“Not in the least bit. I am too tough and used 
to falls. I did not hurt myself this time at all.” 


20 


THE AIB SCOUT 


“It was all my fault,’ ’ protested Leon. “I am 
sorry and I want to apologize. ’ ’ 

“It was not your fault at all. It was mine. I 
was on the wrong side of the road and you could 
not help but run into me. I was going very fast 
in an attempt to gain speed for the steep climb up 
the hill. I turned the corner on the wrong side 
of the road, when instantly and with a sudden 
crash, you hit me.” 

“Your machine is not damaged, I hope?” said 
Leon. 

“Very slightly; it is nothing. The little pipe 
that carried the fuel into the engine is broken. 
That is all.” 

“I can fix that easily for you,” said Leon. 

“So can I fix it,” exclaimed the young French- 
man. “It is but a little work to do it.” 

“You are sure it was not my fault that we had 
the collision?” once more insisted Leon. 

4 4 Absolutely. If it had not been my fault prob- 
ably I should not have tried to make you con- 
scious again after you fell. I should have been 
angry.” 

“I don’t blame you,” laughed Leon. 


DISABLED 21 

Just then there was the toot of an automobile 
horn in the distance, and the young Frenchman 
hurried out into the middle of the road in the path 
of the approaching machine. The car contained 
only the driver, and as the young Frenchman held 
up his hand, it came to a full stop. There was a 
whispered conversation between the two men, and 
then they both came over to the place where Leon 
was lying. He had tried to get up but found him- 
self entirely too weak. 

The two men exchanged a few words in French 
which Leon did not understand. The driver of 
the automobile then grasped him by the feet, and 
the motorcyclist took hold of him under his arms. 

‘ 1 What are you doing to me? n Leon exclaimed. 

“We shall put you in the automobile, ’ ’ replied 
the young Frenchman. 

“But where are you going to take me?” de- 
manded Leon. “I am all right and can walk.” 

“I think you had better not try it,” laughed the 
young Frenchman. “You are hurt more than 
you think. Just let me take care of things and 
you will soon he all right some more . 9 9 

Leon made no further protest. He was suffer- 


22 


THE AIR SCOUT 


ing intense pain and he found himself too weak to 
do anything hut lie back in the arms of the two 
men who were carrying him. Soon he was placed 
in the tonneau of the machine, and the young 
Frenchman sat beside him with his arm around 
his waist. 

The car started back down the road in the di- 
rection from which it had come. Leon felt too 
badly to ask any questions and the matter of 
where he was being taken had almost ceased to 
interest him. The only sensation he experienced 
was that of pain, and he kept his eyes closed and 
gritted his teeth most of the time. 

Some two or three miles down the road the car 
turned off the main thoroughfare. A narrow 
lane, lined on both sides by huge poplar trees, ran 
off at right angles and it was this course the lit- 
tle party took. 

It was not as smooth as the main road had been 
and the bumps did not serve to lessen Leon’s suf- 
fering in the least. In a short time they came to 
the end of the lane, where a pretty white cottage 
was standing. A big collie dog came out barking 
to meet the approaching automobile and an 


DISABLED 


23 


elderly man and woman appeared soon after at 
the front door. 

This was all that Leon saw. Everything sud- 
denly turned black in front of his eyes and he 
fainted. 

When next he awakened he was lying in a white 
cool bed in a little corner room in the cottage. 
There was a vase of yellow flowers on a table 
nearby and white curtains were hanging at the 
windows. 

The elderly woman he had seen outside stood 
beside him bathing his forehead with a cool wet 
cloth. 

“ Where is my motorcycle demanded Leon 
weakly. “ I only hired it, you know; it doesn’t 
belong to me and so I must take good care of it.” 

The woman did not understand English evi- 
dently, for as soon as Leon spoke she went outside 
and called, “ Jacques!” 

The young Frenchman who had taken care of 
Leon appeared and in response to the patient’s 
question, assured him that the motorcycle was 
being cared for. 

“This is my home,” he continued. “My 


24 


THE AIE SCOUT 


mother and father are here, and here you will 
stay until you are better. Do not protest. You 
must remain here, and soon you will be well again. 
Just now you cannot move.” 

“But my uncle and aunt!” exclaimed Leon. 

“I will inform them. And where did you hire 
the motorcycle? I will return that also.” 

Leon gave him the two addresses and then with 
a deep sigh fell into a heavy sleep. 


CHAPTER IH 


A NEW FRIEND 

I T was morning when Leon awoke. He real- 
ized now more fully than he had the day be- 
fore how badly he had been hurt. His body 
was a mass of bruises and he found it almost im- 
possible to move. 

Jacques ’ mother, Mrs. Dineau, brought him his 
breakfast and shortly afterwards the doctor 
came. He examined Leon thoroughly and in- 
formed him that while no bones were broken and 
he was not injured internally, it would be folly 
for him to attempt to move at once. Several days 
might elapse, he said, before Leon could return 
to Paris. 

Later in the morning, Leon’s uncle and aunt 
also arrived. They had been greatly worried 
when Jacques had informed them, over the tele- 
phone, of the accident. Seeing how comfortable 
their nephew was, however, and being informed 


25 


26 THE AIR SCOUT 

that he was in no danger, they soon departed, much 
relieved. 

“What would Earl think if he learned of the 
accident? Probably he would say it was all 
my fault and if I had known my business, I 
would never have been smashed into,” thought 
Leon. 

The time passed quickly for the invalid, how- 
ever. Mr. and Mrs. Dineau were very good to 
him and did all in their power to make him com- 
fortable. They gave him books to read, but as 
they were in French, Leon was not able to make 
much out of them. Jacques had left home for a 
few days and as Mr. and Mrs. Dineau knew no 
English, Leon had a hard time making his wants 
known. Through force of necessity he learned a 
few French expressions from them. 

On the fourth day Jacques arrived home again. 

“How is the patient?” he exclaimed cheerily, 
bursting into the room as he spoke. 

“I am in fine shape,” replied Leon. “I think 
I’ll get up and go home pretty soon.” 

“Not yet, my friend, not yet. You must not 
be in such a hurry.” 


A NEW FRIEND 


27 


“But I am imposing on you here.” 

“Do not say that; it is not so.” 

Jacques evidently meant what he said and Leon 
soon saw that he should not mention the matter 
again. Jacques came in to talk with him many 
times during the day, and Leon could not help 
liking him. He was so enthusiastic and sincere 
about everything, that he almost compelled one to 
grow fond of him. 

“Tell me about America,” he urged. And 
Leon at once began to tell him of many facts con- 
cerning the great country across the sea. He 
spoke of the great rivers and mountains and 
plains. He told his new friend about the big 
cities and the tall buildings. These impressed 
the French youth greatly; he could scarcely con- 
ceive of a building more than sixty stories high. 
The thing he wondered at most of all, however, 
was the great extent of the United States. It 
seemed incredible to him that it should take five 
days on a fast train to travel from one end of the 
land to the other. 

“And now,” said Leon when he had finished, 
“tell me about yourself.” 


28 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Oh, I?” said Jacques quietly. “I am in the 
army. ’ ’ 

“In the army!” exclaimed Leon. “That is an 
interesting life.” 

“Sometimes,” agreed Jacques. “Also it is very 
hard sometimes.” 

“Have you been in the army long?” asked 
Leon. 

“Three years. I was quartered in Algeria for 
two years. For the last year I have been here in 
France.” 

“You are in the infantry?” queried Leon. 

“ I was, in Algeria,” Jacques replied. “It was 
very hard, too ; stationed on the edge of the desert 
where it was so hot and sometimes we had 
very long marches.” 

“The natives made trouble, you mean?” 

“Often. We would be sent out and it was very 
had fun. I did not like it one little bit . 1 9 

“You are not in the infantry any more, then?” 
inquired Leon. 

“No, I am now in the aviation corps.” 

“You are!” exclaimed Leon. 



WHEN LEON OPENED HIS EYES A FEW MOMENTS LATER 
HE FOUND HIMSELF LYING UNDER THE HEDGE 
BY THE ROADSIDE. 

Page IS 






A NEW FEIEND 29 

“ Yes, for one year I have been attached to that 
division. It is very interesting. ’ ’ 

“Well, I should think it might be! Did you 
ever have a fall?” 

“Once, but it was not serious. We were up 
very high when our motor suddenly ceased run- 
ning. It was exciting for a moment, but we 
landed in safety with only a slight bump. We 
what you call ‘ volplaned 7 down.” 

“Whew!” exclaimed Leon. “Were you at the 
wheel at the time ? ’ 7 

“Yes,” said Jacques. 

“And you have an aeroplane all of your own!” 
said Leon. “That must be wonderful.” 

“It is not my own. It belongs to the Govern- 
ment, of course. But I always run it. I like it 
very much.” 

“ Is it a biplane ? 7 7 

“No, a monoplane,” said Jacques. “Over here 
in this country we use mostly monoplanes, while 
your people in the United States prefer the bi- 
planes. 7 7 

“Which is better?” asked Leon. 


30 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“I do not know. It is only a matter of opin- 
ion, I think. Some like one, some like the other. ’ ’ 

44 Suppose France was to have a war?” sug- 
gest ed Leon. 4 4 W ould you be in it V ’ 

4 ‘Why, yes, of course / 9 said Jacques simply. 

“Would you fly over forts and drop bombs 
down and do things like that?” 

“I cannot tell, probably I would have to do 
things such as that. Principally I would be a 
scout, I think. The aviators would fly over the 
enemy’s lines to seek out their positions and dis- 
cover where they were stationed.” 

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful!” cried Leon en- 
thusiastically. “You’d be way up in the air 
where no one could shoot you.” 

4 4 Perhaps not, ’ ’ said J acques dubiously. 44 You 
know there are guns specially made to fire at 
aeroplanes.” 

4 4 Is that so? Well, that makes it different, 
then. I can’t say I’d enjoy it if I was in an aero- 
plane and somebody from below hit my machine 
with a few bullets.” 

4 4 No,” agreed Jacques quietly, 4 4 it would not be 
very pleasant. ’ ’ 


A NEW FRIEND 31 

“Have you been flying much lately !” Leon 
asked. 

“Not a great deal, very lately. You see I am 
home on my furlough now. Otherwise I could 
not be here, and you see, if I had not been home 
I would not have run into you with my motor- 
cycle, and you would not be here at present.’ ’ 

“If you hadn’t run into me, someone else 
would,” laughed Leon. “I’ve had a fine time at 
your home here anyway.” 

“I am glad,” said Jacques, “and I hope we may 
be friends.” 

“I am sure we shall be,” exclaimed Leon 
heartily, and he extended his hand to Jacques as 
he spoke. They shook hands warmly and thus 
began a friendship that was to be of far greater 
value to both the young men than either dreamed 
of at the time. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE AIR SCOUT 

F OUR days more Leon remained in the lit- 
tle white cottage. Two days before he 
left he got out of bed and for an hour at 
a time sat quietly in the little house or on the 
shaded lawn. He used to take his chair out into 
the sunshine in front of the cottage and sit there 
by the hour looking at the beautiful country, play- 
ing with the friendly collie, or talking with his 
new friend. 

Jacques he found more interesting every min- 
ute, and he soon became very fond of the young 
aviator. The tales he had to relate of his army 
life were fascinating to Leon. He enjoyed the 
story of the life and work in Algeria, but most of 
all he liked to listen to Jacques’ talk of the avia- 
tion-work. 

“Suppose,” said Leon one day, “that France 
was at war with some great nation and they sent 
big dirigible balloons over here to attack the 
32 


THE AIR SCOUT 33 

cities. Wliat would you do in your aeroplane to 
stop them?” 

“The best thing,” replied Jacques, “would be 
for me to run right into them. If I was going over 
sixty miles an hour and hit the gas bag of a bal- 
loon, you can see the balloon would not last very 
long. ’ 9 

“No,” agreed Leon, “and you wouldn’t last 
very long, either. You would be killed, wouldn’t 
you?” 

“Oh, yes, undoubtedly,” said Jacques simply. 

“But,” protested Leon, “would you do a thing 
like that when you knew you would surely be 
killed?” 

“Why, yes, if it would be of service to France. 
France is worth more than my life, you must 
know, and I should be so happy if I could feel 
I was doing it for my country.” 

“Do all your soldiers feel the same way?” 
asked Leon in wonderment. 

“Of course,” said Jacques simply. “We love 
France. Just see how beautiful she is,” and as 
he spoke he waved his hand towards the green 
fields and the rolling hills in the background. 


34 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Leon looked in the direction Jacques indicated. 
France certainly was beautiful, and he thought 
how terrible it would be if any hostile army 
should ever sweep across this fertile land, spread- 
ing death and ruin on every side. 

Both young men were silent for a time, busy 
with their thoughts. Jacques first broke the 
silence. 

“You know we have also guns for use in aero- 
planes,’ 9 he said. 

“What kind of guns?” 

“We have some small machine guns, which 
weigh but a few pounds and will fire several hun- 
dred shots a minute. If we can puncture the big 
gas bag of a balloon you can see that it would 
soon come down to the earth. Some men are 
very accurate in dropping bombs also . 9 9 

“How many times out of ten can a man hit 
what he is aiming at with a bomb?” inquired 
Leon. 

“Well, one man at a height of eight hundred 
feet hit a target sixty feet in diameter twelve out 
of fifteen times.” 


“How big were the bombs?” 


THE AIR SCOUT 


35 


“They weighed fifteen pounds each.” 

“But,” protested Leon, “if you were only eight 
hundred feet high you would be a good mark for 
guns down below.” 

“That is true,” agreed Jacques. “An aviator 
would have to fly much higher than that, and then 
of course his aim would not be so good. The ma- 
chine would be traveling very fast also and that 
would make it more difficult to take good 
aim.” 

“Let’s hope you will never have to try your 
skill in real war,” said Leon. 

“I trust not, but we must always be ready. 
Being ready is a fine defense, you know.” 

“Of course it is,” agreed Leon. “It must be 
great sport to go up in an aeroplane, too. I have 
never done it.” 

“No! Perhaps some day I might take you up 
if you should care to go.” 

“ 4 Care to go!’ ” cried Leon. “I should say 
I would care to go ! ” 

Jacques laughed at his young friend’s enthu- 
siasm. “Of course I should have to obtain the 
permission necessary,” he said. “You are sure 


36 


THE AIR SCOUT 


you would like to try it, after being almost killed 
right on the solid ground ?” 

4 4 I ’d go in a minute ! ’ ’ declared Leon. 4 4 When 
do you suppose you could take me?” 

4 4 Well,” said Jacques, 4 4 my furlough is not over 
for ten days yet, so of course it could not be be- 
fore that length of time. Perhaps in two weeks 
I could do it.” 

Leon’s face fell. 

4 4 In two weeks I shall be away from this part 
of the country,” he said disappointedly. 

4 4 You are going far?” 

4 4 To Belgium. I am going up to Brussels for 
a little while. I want to see the battleground of 
Waterloo especially, and then I expect to go over 
into Germany after that.” 

4 4 Do you not expect to come back to Paris at 
all this season?” asked Jacques. 

4 4 I’m afraid not. It looks as if we would not 
have our ride together after all, doesn’t it? I am 
sorry, but you were nice to ask me, just the 
same.” 

4 4 It was nothing. I should have liked very 
much to take you.” 


THE AIR SCOUT 


37 


“ Perhaps some other summer,” said Leon. 
“At any rate I hope we are going to see each 
other again some time.” 

“I think we shall,” said Jacques, “and I have a 
strong feeling that it will he before very long. I 
don’t know why I think that way, but I do. You 
know my old mother dreamed last night that 
France was going to have war. Is not that a 
queer thing?” 

“With whom are they going to war?” 

‘ 4 She does not know, but she dreamed that, and 
this morning she believes it will happen. She is 
sure of it, though I hope she is wrong. I also 
feel sure that you and I shall meet some time soon 
again, though I cannot tell you my reason for 
being so sure.” 

“Well,” laughed Leon, “I hope your mother is 
wrong and that you are right.” 

The following day Leon bade Mr. and Mrs. 
Dineau and Jacques good-by and started on his 
journey back to Paris. His uncle and aunt had 
called for him in an automobile to take him away, 
and they found him almost entirely recovered from 
his accident. 


38 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ Don’t forget/ ’ called Jacques, as the car 
moved away from the cottage, “I expect to see 
you soon again, my friend.” 

“I hope you do,” cried Leon, and a moment 
later they were gone. 

The following*week Leon spent quietly in Paris, 
seeing some of the wonders of that great city. 
The wonderful view from the Eiffel Tower fas- 
cinated him, while the streets, swarming with 
taxi-cabs, were a never ending source of enjoy- 
ment. Soon, however, the time came for him to 
leave and he made ready to start on the next lap 
of his journey, up to Belgium. 


CHAPTER V 


RUMORS OF WAR 

T HE morning after Leon arrived in Brus- 
sels lie went out to visit the battlefield of 
Waterloo, ten miles distant from the city. 
Here it was that on the 18th day of June, 1815, 
the great struggle that overthrew the power of 
Napoleon was decided. 

It was easy for Leon to see that the Duke of 
Wellington had made a wise choice of battlefields 
when he had selected his position of defense. In 
front of the village of Mont Saint Jean extends a 
long chain of gently sloping hills. Behind this 
range of hills were posted the cavalry and re- 
serve forces out of sight of the enemy. 

“They wouldn’t have been out of sight if Na- 
poleon had only had Jacques Dineau and his aero- 
plane to aid him,” thought Leon. 

Napoleon’s army had been drawn up in a huge 
semicircle about one mile distant from the forces 


39 


40 


THE AIR SCOUT 


of the Duke of Wellington and his allies. It was 
formed in two lines, the reserves in the rear. 

Leon with a party of Americans had hired a 
guide to show them the battlefield and it was he 
who was telling the story of the famous battle. 

In the Duke of Wellington’s army were about 
sixty-eight thousand men, while Napoleon had a 
little larger force, — about seventy-one thousand. 
Leon heard how the French had attacked the hills 
again and again, only to be hurled back by the 
desperate resistance of the defenders. All day 
long the battle had raged, until, after one last 
desperate charge, the army of Napoleon, cut to 
pieces and beaten, had given up the fight and re- 
treated. 

Over fifty thousand men had perished in this 
great struggle, one of the greatest and most im- 
portant in the history of the world. A force of 
Prussians under General Bliicher had reenforced 
Wellington in the nick of time and helped greatly 
to accomplish the downfall of the French. The 
battle was important in that it was the final and 
crushing blow to the power of Napoleon. From 


RUMORS OF WAR 


41 


that day he was never again a menace to Europe 
or to the world. 

“What a battle that must have been!” ex- 
claimed Leon to a fellow- American seated next to 
him in the electric train on their way back to 
Brussels. 

“Would you like to have seen it?” asked the 
man, turning to Leon as he spoke. 

“I should say I would! I’d like to have a 
chance to see a big battle some day. ’ ’ 

“You may have a chance pretty soon.” 

“What do you mean?” 

4 4 The newspaper this morning says that Austria 
has made certain demands on Servia and given a 
certain limited time in which Servia may reply 
to them. If the reply isn’t satisfactory, Austria 
will probably declare war on Servia.” 

“What were Austria’s demands?” asked Leon. 

“Well, you know that the Archduke Francis 
Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hun- 
gary, was assassinated by a Servian, don’t you?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, Austria demands that Servia shall 


42 


THE AIR SCOUT 


allow her to go into Servia and punish the men 
responsible for the crime. Also, that Servia must 
stop all agitation against the Austrians. You 
know the two countries are very jealous of each 
other. ’ ’ 

“Yes, I know. Do you think there will be a 
war ? ’ ’ 

“I’m afraid so. Servia can’t very well do 
what Austria demands and Austria knows it.” 

“When must Servia make her reply?” asked 
Leon eagerly. 

“Six o’clock to-night.” 

“And you think there’ll be war if she does not 
do what Austria demands?” 

“I’m afraid so.” 

“It’ll be just between Austria and Servia, 
won’t it?” 

“I don’t know; perhaps every country in Eu- 
rope will be drawn into it soon. ’ ’ 

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Leon. 

“Just what I say. If Austria declares war on 
Servia, Russia will very probably help Servia. 
Then Germany will help Austria, and France will 
side with Russia and Servia. If France goes into 


RUMORS OF WAR 


43 


it, England may have to help her. You see there 
are two big alliances in Europe, ‘The Triple Al- 
liance, J which includes Germany, Austria and 
Italy, and ‘ The Triple Entente, ’ which is made up 
of Russia, France and England. They have 
agreed to help each other in case a war is de- 
clared and so if one or two of them get into the 
fight the rest may have to follow.” 

“Whew!” exclaimed Leon. “That would be a 
real war with all those nations in it ! Is there any 
chance of Belgium fighting?” 

“No,” said the man. “Belgium is a neutral 
country and the big nations have signed a treaty 
saying she is always to remain neutral.” 

“That’s lucky. Then there is no danger in 
Belgium at all, is there?” 

“None whatsoever. I thought you just said 
you’d like to see a fight though.” 

“I would,” said Leon, “but I don’t want to get 
caught over here in the midst of a big war. I 
might never be able to get home.” 

“Well,” laughed his friend, “I wouldn’t worry 
about it just yet. What are you planning to do, 
anyway?” 


44 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Pm going over to Liege pretty soon; stay 
there a day or so and then go on to Berlin. ’ ’ 

“That’s all right. Anyway you are safe 
enough in Belgium and my talking about all these 
big countries going to war is only guesswork, you 
know. There may not be any war at all.” 

Coming into Brussels that afternoon though, 
they found crowds of people collected around the 
newspaper bulletin boards. The latest dispatches 
from Vienna and Belgrade, the Austrian and 
Servian capitals, were being shown and the ex- 
citement was very intense. 

The bulletins were in French, the language com- 
monly spoken in Belgium, and as Leon knew but 
little of it, the dispatches were not of great in- 
terest to him. He stood and watched the crowds 
for a short time and then went back to his hotel. 

The evening he spent in writing home to his 
parents and to his twin brother, Earl. 

After he had gone to bed he lay awake for a 
long time thinking of war and the chances for 
war. It did not seem possible that all the na- 
tions in Europe would fly at one another’s throats 
as his friend on the train that afternoon had sug- 


RUMORS OF WAR 


45 


gested. Still lie had often heard people say that 
it was only a question of time before such a gigan- 
tic struggle would engage all the nations of Eu- 
rope. They were all jealous of one another, it 
was said, and the statement generally was be- 
lieved to be true. 

“Perhaps,” thought Leon as he fell asleep, 
“Jacques Dineau’s mother’s dream will come true 
and France will have war after all. I don’t see 
where I shall see him again, though.” 


CHAPTER VI 


WAR IS DECLARED 

W HEN Leon came downstairs for break- 
fast the next morning the first person 
he saw was his American friend of 
the afternoon before. 

1 6 Good-mo rning,” exclaimed Leon. “What is 
the news to-day ?” 

“War is declared.’ ’ 

‘ ‘ By Austria ? ” . 

“Yes. I was sure it would be.” 

“Do you think Austria will win?” 

“I don’t believe she would have started the war 
unless she felt confident of that fact,” said the 
American. “Austria is the larger country, you 
know. ’ 9 

“Yes, I know. It somehow seems to me like a 
big boy picking on a small one.” 

The man laughed and shrugged his shoulders. 
“It might seem that way to us,” he admitted, 
“but we don’t understand it all, you know.” 

46 


WAR IS DECLARED 


47 


“No,” said Leon, “I suppose not. At any rate 
I am going to see something of Belgium. It's 
safe enough here.” 

“Yes, you Ye all right as long as you stay here,” 
said the man. 

Leon spent the day wandering about the streets 
of Brussels. It is a beautiful city and attracted 
him strongly. One thing that always interested 
him very much in the European cities was the 
fact that so many restaurants had their tables on 
the sidewalks in front of the buildings. People 
sat out there in full view of every passer-by and 
enjoyed their meals or refreshments as calmly as 
if they were seated in the strictest privacy. 

The following day Leon departed from Brus- 
sels, making his way to Liege on a bicycle he had 
procured. No motorcycles were to be used by 
him for some time yet, he decided. He stopped 
for luncheon at Louvain and spent the night in 
Tirlemont. He could easily have made much bet- 
ter time but he was in no hurry and he liked to 
ride leisurely through the country and see all 
there was to be seen. 

From Tirlemont, a clean little city of about 


48 


THE AIR SCOUT 


twenty thousand inhabitants, he proceeded the 
next day to the little town of Gingelom where he 
had his noonday meal. Nearby he crossed the 
old Roman road, built by the Roman conquerors 
centuries before, and still in good condition. 

Late that afternoon he arrived in Liege. This 
city caught his fancy at once. Spread out over 
considerable space and located on the high banks 
of the river Meuse, it enjoyed a splendid loca- 
tion. 

Walking into his hotel a few days later, Leon 
discovered his American acquaintance who had 
been so friendly with him in Brussels. 

“Hello, there,’ ’ exclaimed the man. 

“Why, I didn’t know you were coming here,” 
said Leon in surprise. It was certainly good for 
him to have someone to talk to, though, he 
thought. 

“I didn’t expect to. I like Liege though; I 
have been here several times before and I just 
thought I’d run over again.” 

“How’s the war getting on?” asked Leon. 
“I’ve almost forgotten about it. I’ve been rid- 
ing around the country on my bicycle and I 


WAR IS DECLARED 


49 


haven ’t seen any sort of a newspaper and I don’t 
know what is happening at all.” 

“Well, it’s about time yon found out!” ex- 
claimed the man. “I told you a lot more of the 
nations might be drawn in and sure enough, Rus- 
sia, Servia and France are all at war with Ger- 
many and Austria now. Germany is starting to 
invade France.” 

“Is that so?” cried Leon aghast. “Why 
haven’t I heard anything about it?” 

“It has all happened so quickly, and if you were 
in the country districts it might easily have es- 
caped you.” 

“What are you going to do about it?” 

“I’m not going to do anything. Why not stay 
right here in Liege and see the fun? We are in 
a neutral country and close to things ; it is almost 
like a grandstand seat.” 

“But suppose Belgium declares war on some- 
body along with the others?” protested Leon. 

“There’s not a bit of danger. Belgium will 
not be in this war; it is too small to get mixed up 
with all these big fellows. The only thing that 
could drag her in would be that some country 


50 THE AIR SCOUT 

should violate her neutrality. They have signed 
a treaty not to do that, though.’ ’ 

“Well, if that’s the case, I say to stay here, 
too,” said Leon enthusiastically. 

He spent the evening talking to his new friend 
and they discussed the war from every point of 
view. Leon related that his friend Jacques’ 
mother had prophesied war and here it was al- 
ready. 

“But I guess his feeling that he will see me 
soon again was wrong,” Leon continued thought- 
fully. 

“Perhaps he may fly over Liege or some place 
near here and see you then,” laughed the Amer- 
ican. 

“That’s his only chance, I’m afraid,” said 
Leon. “I would like to see him again, though.” 

“Well, now that Germany plans to invade 
France I imagine your friend will be a mighty 
busy young man. He will be among the first to 
be called for duty probably.” 

“I suppose so,” said Leon. “I don’t think I 
envy him his contract very much, either. ’ ’ 

“Wouldn’t you like to be in a city that was at- 


WAR IS DECLARED 51 

tacked! Just suppose the Germans should at- 
tack Liege !” 

“ Anybody who attacked this city would have 
a hard time taking it I believe,” said Leon. 

“Yes, indeed, they would. Just think, there 
are at least a dozen big forts entirely surround- 
ing the city! They are powerful, too, and most 
excellently planned. Liege makes a pretty well 
protected city.” 

“The people here make weapons, don’t they!” 
asked Leon. 

“I should say they did; all kinds of them. 
This is a great manufacturing center, you know, 
and the making of weapons is one of the principal 
industries.” 

“Are the people fighters!” 

‘ ‘ They are hard workers, but when you get them 
started they are still harder fighters. There have 
been a great many bloody fights in this old place 
and I guess no one has ever said that the inhabi- 
tants couldn’t fight if they had to.” 

“Do they make guns and cannons here!” 

“Yes, indeed they do, and I guess they wouldn’t 
hesitate to use them if they should be attacked.” 


52 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Well, they won’t need them in this war, you 
say, and now I think I’ll go up to bed.” 

“I shall join you,” said the American and they 
were about to start up the stairs when a commo- 
tion in front of the hotel attracted their attention. 

They started to investigate when suddenly a 
man breathless and wild-eyed burst into the lobby 
of the hotel. 

“Germany is invading Belgium!” he gasped. 


CHAPTER VII 


STRANDED 


T first no one seemed to comprehend what 



the man had said. People stood aghast 


staring blankly at one another and all 


appeared dazed for a few moments. 

However, the instant the full meaning of what 
the news was dawned upon those standing near, 
pandemonium broke loose. Everyone seemed to 
be in his neighbor’s way and confusion reigned 
on all sides. 

The news spread like wildfire throughout the 
city and in an incredibly short time the streets 
were filled with the excited populace. They col- 
lected in groups on the comers, gesticulating 
wildly, while in front of the newspaper and tele- 
graph offices the crowds were so dense it was al- 
most impossible to pass through them. 

People seemed dazed, and utterly unable to 
comprehend the real meaning of it all. Why 
should Germany invade their little country? 


53 


54 THE AIR SCOUT 

Didn’t she sign a solemn treaty never to violate 
Belgium’s neutrality! 

“What is going to happen!” demanded Leon 
of his friend. All thought of bed had vanished 
from their minds and they were now on the street 
in the midst of the crowd, seeking for news as 
eagerly as all the others. 

“I don’t know,” replied the man. “One thing 
is sure though in my mind, and that is that the 
Belgians will not sit still and let Germany parade 
through their territory.” 

“Why does Germany want to come into Bel- 
gium, anyway!” demanded Leon. 

‘ ‘ My opinion is that they think this is the short- 
est and easiest cut to Paris. Paris, of course, is 
the spot they are aiming for, and they consider 
the approach through Belgium about the easiest.” 

“Have they any right to cross a neutral coun- 
try’s territory, though!” 

“Well,” replied the American, “when a big 
country is at war, I don’t imagine it stops very 
long to consider whether it has a right to do a 
thing or not. Another reason why they are com- 
ing through here is this: France expects Ger- 


STRANDED 


55 


many to live up to the terms of her treaty and 
so naturally they have never fortified their Bel- 
gian border very much. They considered there 
was no need of it. Germany knows all this and 
consequently they figure that this is the route 
with the fewest forts and the least opposition. ,, 

“They’re about right, too, aren’t they?” 

“Unless Belgium puts up a stiff fight. A large 
number of the Belgian cities are heavily fortified 
and are capable of offering desperate resistance. ’ ’ 

“But you don’t really think little Belgium will 
think of opposing Germany, do you?” said Leon 
in amazement. 

“Yes, I think she will. I don’t see how they 
can very well do anything else. ’ ’ 

“What about us?” demanded Leon. “Hadn’t 
we better get out of here?” 

“I was just thinking of that and I guess we 
had. If we don’t leave now we may not be able 
to get away later and I don’t think we ought to 
take any more chances than are necessary.” 

“Let’s hurry back to the hotel and pack up 
then,” exclaimed Leon. 

Making their way with difficulty through the 


56 


THE AIR SCOUT 


throngs on the street they arrived at their hotel 
once more. It had been hard work and exciting, 
and both were nearly fagged out when they ar- 
rived there. 

Coming into the lobby of the hotel Leon turned 
to his friend. 

“Where shall we go!” he asked. 

“To Brussels, first. We can decide what to do 
after that when we reach there.” 

“There is a train to-night all right, isn’t 
there?” 

“I suppose so. Wait here and I’ll inquire at 
the desk.” 

Leon stood watching the crowds, while his 
friend consulted the hotel clerk. People hurry- 
ing past him looked worried and anxious, but de- 
termined. He decided that once aroused they 
would not give up the fight unless it was abso- 
lutely hopeless. He wondered at the bravery of 
such people, in even considering opposition to 
the great army of the Kaiser. They would not 
stand even the slightest chance against them, no 
matter how brave they were. The numbers 
against them were far too great. 


STRANDED 


57 


Just then his American friend returned. 

“No trains to-night,” he announced. 

“What!’* exclaimed Leon. “You mean to say 
we can’t get out of Liege to-night even if we 
want to?” 

“Exactly. No trains will run to-night, but 
there will doubtless be some in the morning 
though the ticket seller said he could not guar- 
antee anything . 9 ’ 

“Well, we’re in a pretty fix,” said Leon soberly. 
“For all we know Liege may be attacked at any 
minute and we can’t leave.” 

“I don’t think we need worry yet though,” said 
the American reassuringly. “We’ll be able to 
get away all right in the morning.” 

“I hope so. This report may be no joke for 
us.” 

“Yes,” agreed the man, “you are right there. 
No one would harm us though, being Americans, 
and we’ll soon be away from here.” 

“What shall we do now?” asked Leon. 

“We may as well go to bed. We can pack all 
our belongings to-night and be ready for an early 
start in the morning. What do you say?” 


58 THE AIR SCOUT 

“That sounds like an excellent plan to me,” 
said Leon. “Let’s start now.” 

They soon left the din and hubbub of the streets 
and the lobby and retired to their rooms where 
the task of packing up their belongings speedily 
began. 

Leon had very little luggage, only two bags, 
but they contained many things he had collected 
on his trip and he had no desire to lose them. He 
was determined to hold on to his baggage at all 
costs. 

His packing finished, he clambered into bed, 
but sleep seemed far away. The events of the 
evening had aroused him tremendously and he 
seemed unable to quiet down. The faint murmur 
of the streets made its way dimly to his ears and 
his brain worked busily over all the possibilities 
of what might happen. 

Once, getting out of bed and going to the win- 
dow, he looked down and saw a squad of soldiers 
marching through the street. Silent and grim 
they appeared and the sight of them sent little 
shivers chasing each other up and down his spine. 

It was a long time before Leon could get the 


STRANDED 


59 


sight of the inarching troops out of his mind, and 
when at length he did fall asleep, he dreamed he 
could hear the roar of the German siege guns 
bombarding the fortifications around the city. 


CHAPTER VIII 


REiFTJ GE ES 

B RIGHT and early the next morning Leon 
made his way downstairs, a bag in each 
hand. His American friend was before 
him, however, awaiting his arrival in the lobby. 

4 4 There is a train leaving in about twenty min- 
utes,’ ’ he announced to Leon as soon as he caught 
sight of him. “I just found it out and was start- 
ing up to waken you.” 

4 ‘That’s the train we want, isn’t it?” said Leon 
at once. 

“I want it, and if you do, come along and we’ll 
make a try for it.” 

Paying his hotel bill as quickly as he was able in 
the confusion, Leon grasped his two bags and hur- 
riedly followed his friend out into the street. If 
anything, the crowds seemed even denser than in 
the previous evening, so that fast walking was out 
of the question. The people appeared quieter 
60 


REFUGEES 


61 


than they had been the night before, but they also 
appeared more determined. 

“Do you think we’ll make it?” gasped Leon, 
panting under the weight he was carrying. 

“I guess so. We’re almost there now.” 

In a few moments they arrived at the Station 
des Guillemins, where the trains left for Paris. 
The place was packed and jammed with a dense 
mass of humanity which extended even out into the 
street. It appeared to the two hurrying Ameri- 
cans that even to enter the station would be impos- 
sible. 

“Do you think we can do it?” said Leon. 

“No, I don’t, but we want to make a hard try for 
it.” 

The crowd was made up of all classes and kinds 
of people, all seemingly possessed with the same 
idea of reaching the train. Leon and his friend 
were soon in the thick of the press, attempting to 
force their way through it. 

It was of no use. Long before they even came 
within sight of the train they were seeking, the 
bell clanged and they heard the train pulling out. 
They stood still and stared blankly at each other. 


62 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Well, we missed it,” said Leon simply. 

“You are quite right,” agreed his friend, trying 
to assume an indifferent attitude. 

“What next?” demanded Leon. 

“You didn’t have any breakfast this morning, 
did you?” 

“None at all.” 

“Neither did I. What do you say to having 
some breakfast and talking things over ? ’ 9 

1 1 The idea of breakfast sounds first class to me , 9 9 
Leon assented. “But what about a train for 
Brussels? Don’t you think we ought to inquire 
about that first?” 

“Yes, I guess we had. Let’s go over to the 
ticket-window.” 

It was no easy task to reach it, however. The 
crowd was still great, especially around the spot 
they were striving to reach. In the throng were 
many tourists and foreigners, men, women and 
children, all bent upon leaving Liege at the earliest 
possible moment. Many of the people appeared 
to be greatly worried, and not a few women were 
in tears. Some had been somewhat roughly 


REFUGEES 


63 


handled by the crowd, for although it was not dis- 
orderly it was determined, and every person was 
looking out for himself at all times. 

At length they reached the window, and learned 
that the next scheduled train would not leave for 
two hours. They were told in addition that they 
might not be able to board it, and also that no bag- 
gage could be carried. 

“I don’t want to abandon my bags,” said Leon 
as they made their way out of the station. 

“Nor I,” exclaimed his friend. “We’ll decide 
what to do while we are having breakfast.” 

They hastened to a nearby restaurant and seated 
themselves at a small table overlooking the street. 
Both were very hungry after their long exertions 
and felt the lack of food keenly. 

It was almost impossible to secure anything to 
eat, however. The waiters appeared absolutely 
demoralized ; they stood talking and gesticulating 
to one another in little groups, and paid but scant 
attention to customers. On all sides the question 
of war was being discussed. At frequent intervals 
squads of soldiers trooped past, while the crowds 


64 


THE AIR SCOUT 


along the sidewalk cheered them lustily. All this 
excitement did not help in any way to provide 
breakfast for two hungry Americans. 

A waiter was finally secured, however, and by 
means of a generous fee was bribed into bringing 
some food for the two hungry guests. 

“Do you really think we stand any chance of 
getting aboard that train ?” asked Leon. 

“I’m not very cheerful about it, to tell the truth. 
How else can we travel, though?” 

‘ ‘ What about a horse ? ’ ’ 

“You mean to hire one?” 

“Yes.” 

“Where can you hire a horse around here?” 

“I’m sure I don’t know,” said Leon, “but it was 
the first thing that occurred to me.” 

The waiter was standing near. He spoke very 
good English and now joined in the conversation. 

“Pardon, Monsieur,” he said. “Did I hear 
Monsieur say that he wishes to hire a horse?” 

‘ ‘ Yes, ’ ’ said Leon quickly. 6 ‘ Do you know where 
we can get hold of one ? ’ ’ 

“I am not sure, Monsieur. My brother has a 


REFUGEES 


65 


horse he might consent to allow yon to have. 
Where is it that Monsieur wishes to go V ’ 

“To Brussels.” 

“Ah, that is very far for a horse to go,” said 
the waiter in a doubtful tone. 

“But yet,” he added a moment later, “I have 
an uncle who lives in Brussels. Perhaps you 
might leave the horse with him. ’ ’ 

“Yes, that’s a fine idea!” exclaimed the Ameri- 
can enthusiastically. “You see we want to reach 
Brussels and we can’t take our baggage on the 
train. We don’t want to leave it here, so we’ll 
drive all the way if necessary. I wish you could 
manage it with your brother to let us have his 
horse. We will take good care of it.” 

“No doubt Monsieur would pay my brother well 
also?” asked the waiter. 

“You needn’t worry about that. We’ll pay a 
good big price and in advance, too.” 

Their waiter went off in search of his brother, 
who lived not far away. The two stranded Amer- 
icans remained seated in the restaurant anxiously 
awaiting his return. Matters were fast becoming 


66 


THE AIR SCOUT 


serious, and they decided they ought to seize the 
first means of transportation out of the city that 
they could lay hands upon. At present a horse 
and carriage appeared to be the best method of 
travel. 

“ There he is now!” exclaimed Leon suddenly, 
a short time later. 

A horse attached to a light wagon had just 
drawn up at the curb outside the restaurant. The 
waiter was seated in the wagon along with another 
man, evidently his brother. 

Leon and his friend went out to talk to them at 
once, and it did not take long to arrange a bar- 
gain. Leon’s new friend seemed to be well sup- 
plied with money and he did not argue over terms. 
He had laughingly refused Leon’s offer to pay his 
share and insisted that this was all his own party. 

4 ‘The horse is a little nervous, Monsieur,” 
warned their friend, the waiter, when the two 
refugees were seated in the wagon. “You must 
drive him much carefully.” 

“Don’t worry about us,” laughed the American, 
who held the reins. “We’ll be all right.” 


REFUGEES 


67 


He chirruped to the horse and they started off, 
their bags snugly tucked away under the seat. 

“This is a lark, isn’t it?” exclaimed Leon. 

“It certainly is. I’m having a fine time so 
far.” 

If the two travelers had only known what was 
in store for them before they came to their jour- 
ney’s end it is doubtful if they would have started 
off in such high spirits. 


CHAPTER IX 


A NEW MISFORTUNE 

T HE two Americans liad inquired carefully 
as to tHe road they were to follow. The 
owner of their horse had instructed them 
as clearly as he was able, and they felt confident 
they would have no difficulty in finding their way. 

Down through the crowded streets of the city 
they drove, making but slow progress on account 
of the throngs of people that swarmed everywhere. 
Several times they were stopped by soldiers or 
gendarmes and not allowed to proceed until they 
had satisfactorily explained their business. 

Past the citadel they went out into the open 
country. Forts, solid and stern, looked frown- 
ingly down upon them. The defenses guarded the 
approaches to the city and seemed to be in espe- 
cially good locations to sweep the river. 

“ Imagine trying to cross the Meuse in a boat, 
with these forts up above you,” said Leon to his 
friend. 


68 


A NEW MISFORTUNE 


69 


“I don’t like to think of such things. No man 
would stand a chance.” 

4 ‘Well, we’re out of it now anyway. Do you 
really think they are going to fight?” 

“I do, and Liege will he the first place at- 
tacked. Why, before we left there I heard rumors 
that war had already been declared by Bel- 
gium. ’ ’ 

4 4 Is that so ? ” exclaimed Leon. 4 4 It shows good 
nerve on her part at any rate.” 

4 4 There is nothing else to do. You’d do the 
same thing under the circumstances.” 

4 4 Yes, I guess I would,” agreed Leon, his eyes 
flashing. 44 I hate to have anyone make a goat of 
me.” 

4 4 Belgium always seems to be the goat. You 
know on the Belgian coat-of-arms there is a lion ; 
it is a fierce looking beast, rearing up on its hind 
legs. Now I think I’ll suggest to King Albert that 
he have the lion changed to a goat. Don’t you 
think that under the circumstances that animal 
would be more appropriate?” 

Leon laughed heartily at this. 

4 4 That’s a good idea, all right,” he agreed. 


70 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“But I don’t believe your suggestion would be 
adopted.’ ’ 

“No,” said his friend, “I’m afraid not. I like 
Belgium, though, and it makes me mad to see her 
picked on. It has always been just that way.” 

“Why is it?” 

“Well, Belgium is unfortunate enough to be sit- 
uated right in the midst of several big nations. 
When these big nations go to war with one an- 
other they always seem to pick her out as the bat- 
tleground.” 

“It is hard luck, isn’t it?” said Leon. “I sup- 
pose that Belgium is usually drawn into it, too.” 

“Yes, the Belgians can’t very well help it.” 

At this moment they came to a fork in the road. 
Two highways joined here, one leading to the left 
and the other to the right. 

“Which is our road?” asked the driver, rein- 
ing in his horse. “Do you recognize this place 
from the directions we received?” 

“No, I don’t,” said Leon. “I should say we 
ought to go to the left, though.” 

“I should take the right hand road,” said his 
friend confidently. 


A NEW MISFORTUNE 


71 


“Well,” laughed Leon, “what are we going to 
do about it? It seems to me Brussels must be 
right oil in that direction.’ ’ 

He pointed to their left. 

“I don’t think so,” insisted his companion. 
“I’m sure it ’s the other way. ’ ’ 

“As there are no sign posts and no one to ask, 
how shall we decide?” said Leon. 

“You think you’re right, and I’m sure I’m right. 
Let’s toss up a coin; if it comes heads up we go 
your way and if it comes up tails we go mine. 
What do you say?” 

“I’m agreeable. I’d hate to get on the wrong 
road, though.” 

“Suppose we do. We’ll meet some one before 
long and we can inquire. If we ’re wrong we can 
easily turn back.” 

“All right,” agreed Leon. “Toss your coin.” 

His friend drew a bright new franc piece out 
of his pocket and with his thumb sent it spinning 
into the air. As it came down he caught it with 
one hand and slapped it onto the back of his 
other hand, still covering it with his palm, how- 


ever. 


72 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“What do you think it is?” he asked, turning to 
Leon. 

“I think it’s heads, of course.” 

His friend removed his hand. There lay the 
franc, head down on the back of his hand. 

“You win,” laughed Leon. “I guess the road 
you selected is the right one after all.” 

“Let’s hope so.” 

He slapped the horse with the reins and once 
more they took up their journey. 

“What time is it?” inquired Leon a few mo- 
ments later. 

“Half-past three,” replied his friend, consult- 
ing his watch. “I had no idea it was as late as 
that, did you?” 

“No, I didn’t. How far have we come from 
Liege? Not very far, I think.” 

“Not over ten miles, I should say as a guess. 
How did the time pass so quickly?” 

“Well,” said Leon, “we were a long time get- 
ting out of the city. We didn’t start very early 
either.” 

“Now that I know it is as late as that I am be- 
ginning to feel hungry,” laughed his friend. “Do 


A NEW MISFOBTUNE 73 

you suppose we can get lunch anywhere around 
here ? ’ ’ 

“There’s a farmhouse ahead. We might stop 
there and see what there is to be had.” 

A little white farmhouse, nestled in a clump of 
trees, stood hack from the road about a quarter 
of a mile ahead of them. In a large field nearby 
two small boys were flying a kite. It soared high 
in the air and must have been of good size and 
possessed of a strong pull, judging by the way 
the two boys tugged at the cord they were hold- 
ing. 

4 4 That’s great fun,” exclaimed Leon’s friend, 
gazing up at the kite. “I remember how I used 
to enjoy that, and I had some fine kites, too.” 

As he spoke the kite suddenly dipped and wob- 
bled uncertainly. It began to fall rapidly, reeling 
and swerving in its flight. 

“The cord broke, I guess,” observed Leon. 

This evidently was the trouble and the two boys, 
waving their arms and gesticulating wildly, 
started in hurried pursuit of their toy. It was 
a huge red kite and had evidently consumed much 
labor in its making, for its owners undoubtedly 


74 THE AIR SCOUT 

were very much worried over the fate now threat- 
ening it. 

“Why, it’s coming right at us!” Leon ex- 
claimed a moment later. 

“It certainly is !” cried his friend. “We don’t 
want it to hit us, either. ’ 9 

‘ ‘ Stop the horse ! ’ ’ exclaimed Leon. ‘ 1 1 think it 
will go in front.” 

His companion followed his advice and reined 
in sharply. Meanwhile the huge red runaway 
came lunging awkwardly in their direction. No 
man alive could have prophesied its exact course, 
so varied was it. It seemed, however, that it 
would pass in front of the wagon, as Leon had 
said. Closer and closer to the ground it came 
and nearer and nearer to the horse and wagon. 

Breathless, the two Americans watched its 
approach. 

It seemed safely past when suddenly it turned 
and shot towards them. So quickly did it come 
that it was impossible to dodge out of its way. 

It struck their horse full on the head and im- 
paled itself on one of the shafts, entangling the 
horse’s fore-feet in its meshes. 


A NEW MISFORTUNE 


75 


The startled animal gave one lond snort. Then 
he jumped, and a moment later was racing at full 
speed down the road, a hopeless runaway. 


CHAPTER X 


THE INVADERS APPEAR 

S O suddenly did all this take place that 
neither Leon nor his friend fully realized 
what was taking place until they found 
themselves speeding along the road. 

‘ ‘ Grab the lines ! Quick ! ’ ’ shouted Leon. 

His friend did not need this advice, for the first 
thing he tried to do was to regain possession of 
the reins which had been so abruptly jerked from 
his hands. 

“I’ve got them!” he exclaimed. “But the 
horse doesn’t seem to want to stop!” 

He tugged and pulled with all his might and 
main, but the frightened animal merely increased 
his speed. Along the road he raced, while the 
light wagon rocked and swayed, threatening to up- 
set at any minute. For at least a quarter of a mile 
they almost seemed to fly over the ground. The 
kite was still directly over the horse’s head, look- 
ing like a huge collar about his neck. 

76 


THE INVADERS APPEAR 77 

The sight would have been ludicrous if it had 
not been so serious. The small boys who owned 
the kite ran after the wagon, shouting in their 
loudest tones, but they were soon outdistanced and 
gave up the chase. 

Leon and his companion sat in the wagon, hang- 
ing on as if for dear life, and seemed in immediate 
danger of being thrown out at any minute. 

“This can’t last long,” said Leon grimly. 

“No,” said his friend, “it can’t. The horse 
doesn’t seem to feel the pull on the reins at all. 
My arms ache, they are so tired from holding 
him.” 

He panted from his exertions, while his face 
was set and pale. To both the occupants of the 
wagon it seemed as if they had ridden for hours 
behind the runaway. It was only a few moments, 
however, and the ride ended as abruptly as it be- 
gan. 

The horse was wild with fear and showed not 
the least signs of slackening his pace. It was 
evident that he would run until he was forced to 
stop from sheer exhaustion. Suddenly one of the 
shafts snapped off short. The jerking and con- 


78 


THE AIR SCOUT 


stant zig-zagging from side to side had proved 
too great a strain upon it. 

The one remaining shaft did not last long after 
the first accident and it too soon broke. 

The horse, released from its load, sped on down 
the road, while the wagon swerved off to one side 
and came to a sudden stop in a near-by ditch. 

Leon and his friend sat quietly in the wagon 
and watched their horse disappear from sight in 
a cloud of dust. Neither one spoke for some time, 
and then with one accord they turned and looked 
at each other. 

“Well,” said Leon in a matter-of-fact tone, 
“here we are again.” 

“Yes,” agreed his friend, heaving a great sigh. 
“Here we are again.” 

“At least we are nearer Brussels than we were 
this morning,” said Leon. “That is something to 
be thankful for.” 

“We’re stuck now, though. Our horse is gone 
and we are miles from a railroad or any other 
means of travel. I guess we’ll have to walk.” 

“How about the horse? We must find him 
again and see that his owner gets him back.” 


THE INVADERS APPEAR 


79 


‘ ‘How are you going to find him?” 

1 1 Don ’t ask me that, ’ ’ laughed Leon. c 1 He may 
be in Brussels right now ; at any rate, he was trav- 
eling fast when we last saw him. I don’t think it 
would take him very long to get there.” 

“I don’t care about the horse, I’m worried 
about ourselves. I’ll pay the man all the animal 
is worth and be thankful that my neck isn’t 
broken; I don’t care much about runaways.” 

“How long shall we sit here?” 

“That’s just the point; I don’t know what to 
do. Perhaps we can go back to that farmhouse 
and hire another horse ; we might find the first one 
down the road somewhere. One thing is sure, and 
that is that I am not going to walk after him. ’ ’ 

“Let’s go back to the farmhouse then,” said 
Leon, climbing out of the wagon as he spoke. 
“Do you think we ought to take our bags with 
us?” 

“Ido.” 

“All right, then; we’d better get started, as it 
will be dark before long.” 

“I know it, and we must find some place to 
spend the night.” 


80 


THE AIR. SCOUT 


“Perhaps the farmer back yonder will let us 
stay over night with him,” suggested Leon. 

“Maybe. Well see about that when we get 
there. ’ 9 

They at once removed their bags from the 
wagon and started back down the road. Both 
felt discouraged and worried over their plight. 
The bags were heavy and the day was hot; the 
constant anxiety over the war and the fear that 
they might be caught in it kept their spirits low. 

They arrived at the farmhouse to find a very 
excited household. No one there spoke English, 
but as Leon’s friend knew French very well he 
had no trouble conversing with the Belgian peas- 
ants. The farmer and his two sons were busy 
shining and oiling their guns. The news that the 
German army, on its attempted march to Paris, 
had invaded their fair little country had already 
reached them, and they were preparing to resist 
the advance to the best of their ability. 

At first they regarded the two Americans with 
suspicion. They had not seen the runaway and 
consequently did not know from what direction 
the two new arrivals had come. 


THE INVADERS APPEAR 


81 


A short conversation in French took place be- 
tween the farmer and Leon’s friend. The situa- 
tion was explained to the farmer and he readily 
consented that the two refugees should spend the 
night at his house. He would not loan them a 
horse for the reason that he had none at the pres- 
ent time. He had sold one only a week before 
and his other had died of the colic that very morn- 
ing. 

Besides the three men in the family, there were 
two women, the farmer’s wife and his daughter, 
a girl of about sixteen. They were in terror be- 
cause of the invasion and every minute they 
seemed to expect the Germans to arrive. 

‘ 4 We’d better spend the night here, I think,” 
said Leon’s friend to him after he had his talk 
with the farmer. “This man seems willing that 
we should, and for my part I have had enough for 
one day.” 

“So have I,” agreed Leon heartily. “I am a 
Jonah anyway, I think. Ever since I have been 
abroad this summer I have had things happening 
to me. I hope my luck will change now for a 
while.” 


82 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Well, I don’t think anything can happen to us 
here to-night. Even if the Germans should come 
through here they wouldn’t harm an innocent 
farmhouse and its occupants.” 

“No, I guess we’re safe enough here,” said 
Leon. “You don’t think there will be German 
troops along here so soon anyway, do you?” 

“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised. I 
don’t believe the Belgians could offer much re- 
sistance to the great horde that will swarm 
through the country. The German army ought 
to travel fast.” 

The two Americans had been shown to a small 
room in the front of the house, on the second floor 
and under the eaves. It was very cozy and clean 
and promised a good night’s rest. To Leon it 
was a delight to spend the night in a house like 
this and he considered it an experience that most 
people would never have. They were changing 
their clothes and preparing for supper when 
Leon’s friend suddenly rushed to the window. 

“What’s the matter?” inquired Leon. 

“S-sh, do you hear anything?” 

Leon listened attentively for a moment. 


THE INVADERS APPEAR 83 

“Yes, I hear something,” he said. “It sounds 
to me like thunder. Is it raining ?” 

“No, it isn’t raining, and that isn’t thunder you 
hear, either! That’s artillery!” 

“What!” exclaimed Leon, his face becoming 
pale. “Do you mean to say those are guns we 
hear?” 

“They certainly are. There is not the least 
doubt in the world of it. ’ ’ 

“Then the war has started here in earnest, and 
we are in it, ’ ’ said Leon excitedly. 

‘ ‘ It looks that way. ’ ’ 

A commotion downstairs drew their attention 
just at that moment. People seemed to be rush- 
ing about, and frequent exclamations of excite- 
ment and calls were heard. 

The two Americans hurried down to learn the 
cause of it all and found the household in an up- 
roar. 

“What is it?” inquired Leon’s friend of the 
farmer in French. 

“The Germans! The Germans!” the old man 
cried in the same language he had previously used, 
and as he spoke he pointed to the window. 


84 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Hastening to tlie window Leon peered out. Tlie 
highway was filled with troops of cavalry making 
their way down the road at a fast trot. One of 
the farmer’s sons looked over his shoulder. 

“Uhlans,” he muttered in an awestruck whis- 
per. 


CHAPTEE XI 


A FIGHT STARTS 

T HE word seemed to be tbe symbol of all 
that was terrible to the Belgian peasants. 
The women huddled in one corner of the 
main room and watched the men in wide-eyed ter- 
ror. 

The Uhlans, the pick and pride of the German 
cavalry, were in large force and were evidently 
the advance guard of a stronger body to follow. 
When they reached the lane leading up to the 
farmhouse the leaders halted. A consultation 
took place and the question of going into the house 
was evidently being debated. 

Inside the house, this proceeding was being 
watched with feverish interest. The farmer and 
his two sons each held a rifle in his hands, while 
with set, determined faces they watched the in- 
vaders and fingered their weapons nervously. 

“I advise you not to use those guns/’ said 
85 


86 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Leon’s companion. “Even if they do come into 
the house here, you’d better sit still and make no 
trouble for them. ’ ’ 

“Do you think I will sit quietly by and watch 
them lay waste my farm?” retorted the farmer 
with blazing eyes. 

“I know,” said the American, “but how can 
you help it? They haven’t done any damage yet, 
anyway. Even if they do, you must not fire on 
them. It would mean practically certain death for 
you and your two sons.” 

The farmer muttered something under his 
breath, but made no audible answer. He did not 
give the appearance, however, of meaning to fol- 
low his guest’s advice. 

Leon had kept his gaze fixed intently on the 
cavalry in the road. He estimated there must be 
at least three hundred of them, a scouting party 
evidently. All the time he could hear the far off 
booming of the guns, a fact which, together with 
the soldiers outside, kept forcibly in his mind his 
realization that war was being waged and, that 
too right near where he was. 

The Uhlans were splendid looking men, large 


A FIGHT STARTS 


87 


and mounted on superb horses. They were once 
more on the move now, though Leon noticed that 
one of the men who had been at the head of the 
column had drawn his horse to one side of the 
road, and was evidently waiting to deliver some 
message to those in the rear. 

They jogged along, a cloud of dust rising all 
about them as they advanced over the road. The 
sight of them and the clatter of their horses’ 
hoofs sent chills racing up and down Leon’s spine. 
They certainly presented an imposing sight. 

At last the rear of the column came up even 
with the lane. The trooper halted beside the 
road, gave some order in a loud voice and twelve 
of the Uhlans fell out of line and came to a full 
stop. The rest of the division kept on down the 
road at an undiminished pace. The twelve men 
who had remained behind wheeled their horses, 
and following the officer who had given them the 
orders, started up the lane toward the farm- 
house. 

A low exclamation of horror by the farmer’s 
wife was the only recognition of this move by the 
watchers inside. The men sat still and in grim 


88 THE AIR SCOUT 

silence awaited the arrival of the Uhlans. The 
farmer and his two sons still gripped their rifles 
tightly and a few low-toned words were exchanged 
between them. 

Leon’s friend had been observing them atten- 
tively and now he turned to the farmer. 

“I beg of you to put away your guns,” he ex- 
claimed earnestly. ‘ ‘ They will only get you into 
trouble, and you must think of your wife and 
daughter. When the Germans arrive at the house 
go and see what they desire. Their errand may 
be a peaceable one and you must not make any 
show of arms.” 

His tone and voice were so sincere that the far- 
mer was plainly affected by it. 

‘ 1 Perhaps you are right,” he said. “For the 
present I shall lay aside my gun. ’ 9 

He quickly placed it in a closet and his sons 
followed his example. No sooner had he shut the 
door than there was a loud knocking at the rear 
of the house. The Germans were seeking admit- 
tance. 

“Be very careful when you talk to them, 
please,” begged Leon’s friend, as the farmer has- 


A FIGHT STARTS 


89 


tened to answer the summons. “ Don’t do or say 
a thing to make them angry/ ’ 

A second and more insistent knocking was 
heard, then came the sound of bolts being re- 
moved. A moment later a German officer strode 
into the room where all the household was assem- 
bled. The farmer followed close behind. 

No one said a word or moved as the German 
surveyed the little gathering. The officer looked 
over everyone from head to foot and then turned 
to the farmer. 

“Who are those two?” he asked, pointing to 
Leon and his friend. He spoke in German, a 
language with which the farmer seemed to be per- 
fectly familiar. In fact, since he had been in Bel- 
gium, Leon had observed that practically every- 
one seemed to be thoroughly familiar with two or 
three languages. 

“They are Americans,” explained the farmer, 
speaking in the same language in which he had 
been addressed. 

The officer laughed suspiciously. 

“More like English spies,” he muttered. 

“No, no,” protested the farmer, and he began 


90 


THE AIR SCOUT 


to explain how the two Americans happened to 
be in his house. The officer appeared not to be- 
lieve the story at first, but at the mention of the 
runaway and how the horse had disappeared down 
the road, he changed his manner. 

u We found that horse, ’ ’ he said shortly. 

'‘And then my American guests may have him 
back again ?” said the farmer quickly. 

“I think not,” said the officer with an ugly 
laugh. “We need horses and we’ll keep that 
one.” 

“But my friends only hired him. He does not 
belong to them.” 

“What difference is that to me? We want him 
and we’ll keep him. I want your horses, too.” 

“I have none,” protested the farmer. He was 
beginning to lose control of his temper and the 
two Americans watched him nervously. They 
could not understand what was being said, but 
they inferred that it concerned them and were 
consequently anxious. They saw the officer’s 
manner and feared that if the farmer became too 
excited he might suffer for it. 

“A likely story,” sneered the Uhlan when he 


A FIGHT STAETS 91 

heard the farmer say he had no horses. “We 
shall see for ourselves. And don’t make any trou- 
ble,” he warned as he stamped out of the room, 
his spurs jangling at the heels of his well polished, 
though somewhat dusty boots. 

“He has gone for my horses,” exclaimed the 
farmer, laughing nervously. ‘ ‘ He will be fooled . 9 9 

“They may seize our cattle,” said one of his 
sons. 

“If they do — ” snarled the farmer, making 
an involuntary step toward the closet as he 
spoke. m 

“Keep cool,” exclaimed Leon’s friend, spring- 
ing to his feet and catching the excited peasant by 
the sleeve. ‘ 6 Let them take the cattle or anything 
they want, but don’t make any trouble.” 

“That’s what he told me as he went out,” said 
the farmer, “but I’ll show him if he touches my 
property. ” 

“What did he say to you?” asked Leon’s friend. 

The farmer repeated the conversation. 

“He thought we were English spies, did he? 
Well, we’re not, and we can prove it to him if he 
wants us to.” 


92 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“I think he suspects you no longer,’ ’ said the 
farmer. “What I fear now is that he may be 
stealing my cattle . 9 9 

He hurried out of the room in the direction the 
officer had taken. The others remained quietly 
where they were, thinking it the wisest course to 
remain out of sight if possible. 

Leon heard how he had been suspected of being 
a spy and was much amused by the report. He 
was not one who had much knowledge of what it 
meant to be nervous or afraid. He was thinking 
what a fine story it all would make when he 
reached home, and then a commotion outside drew 
the attention of himself and of all the others 
present. 

Passing by the side of the house was the little 
squad of Uhlans. In front of them they were 
driving four fine well-fed cows. The distracted 
farmer was frantically trying to head them off 
while the Germans laughed at him, at the same 
time preventing him from accomplishing his pur- 
pose. 

Finally they seemed to tire of this amusement. 
The officer called out something in a harsh voice 


A FIGHT STARTS 


93 


to the farmer. It was evidently an order to de- 
sist, but it had no effect. 

Seeing this, the officer drew his sword and 
struck the farmer sharply across the head with the 
flat side of it. It felled him like a log, while the 
troopers laughed and continued their way, still 
driving the cattle before them. 

The peasant lay on the ground for but a second, 
however. He sprang to his feet almost instantly 
and shaking his fist at his enemies he dashed into 
the house. Straight for the closet where his gun 
was he went. 

Leon’s friend in alarm tried to stop him, but to 
no avail; he was brushed aside like a fly. The 
terror-stricken wife and daughter also pleaded 
with him, but in vain ; he paid absolutely no atten- 
tion to any of them. 

He seized his own gun and also handed one to 
each of his eager sons, who were nearly as wrought 
up as their father. Giving their guns a hasty 
glance the three Belgians rushed out of the house. 
Hurrying to the front they all three knelt and 
raising their rifles took careful aim at the figures 
of the Uhlans disappearing down the lane. 


CHAPTER XII 


A FRESH DISASTER 

I T was an anxious moment for the two Ameri- 
cans and the women who were left in the 
house. There was not a doubt that the 
action of the farmer and his two sons would bring 
a swift and awful punishment upon them. 

“The fools!” muttered Leon’s friend as he saw 
what the three men intended to do. “They’ll 
bring those Uhlans back on us like a swarm of 
angry bees. This place may not be safe for you 
or me in two minutes.” 

Before Leon had a chance to reply, three shots 
rang out in quick succession. The enraged peas- 
ants had fired and it was now too late to do any- 
thing but await the consequences of their rash 
act. 

Peering down the lane, Leon saw one of the 
rear horsemen throw up his hands and waver un- 
steadily in his seat. Two of his comrades quickly 

94 


A FRESH DISASTER 


95 


grasped him about the waist to support him while 
he lay limply in their arms. 

The rest of the squad wheeled sharply and with 
an angry shout started at full speed up the lane 
again. Once more the three peasants fired and 
this time two more Uhlans reeled in their saddles 
and fell. The rest swept on at undiminished 
speed and as if nothing had happened out of the 
ordinary. They fired as they came a little nearer 
and one bullet flying wide of its mark shattered 
the glass in the window over Leon’s head. A 
shower of it fell all about him, but fortunately he 
was unhurt. 

Once again the peasants fired and this time the 
horse on which the officer rode was struck. He 
pitched forward violently, sending his rider head- 
long. After this volley the Belgians turned and 
ran. They dodged behind trees and finally round- 
ing the comer of the house disappeared from the 
sight of the pursuers. 

The Uhlans had stopped momentarily to look 
after their dismounted commander. He was in- 
stantly on his feet again, however, and hoarsely 
shouting commands he led the pursuit on foot. 


96 


THE AIR SCOUT 


There were only eight Uhlans in the squad now, 
but they were enraged and ready to vent their 
anger on the first peasant they could find. 

Around the corner of the house they sped and 
a volley of shots showed that they had located the 
three men. 

“They’ll kill them, sure!” whispered Leon to 
his friend. 

“Of course they will. They’ll shoot them down 
like dogs and there is no telling what else they may 
decide to do. ’ ’ 

“Do you think we’d better run for it?” 

“If we do and they see us, we’ll be shot, too. 
That officer was suspicious of us anyway, and we 
don’t want to make him any more so. The best 
thing we can do is to stay right where we are. ’ ’ 

“Think of the poor farmer and his sons!” ex- 
claimed Leon. 4 ‘ They may be dead by this time. ’ ’ 

“They brought it on themselves. I warned 
them, you know, and the people I feel sorry for 
are this woman and her daughter. ’ ’ 

The two women sat huddled close together, their 
hands tightly clasped and their eyes wide with 
horror. They seemed unable to comprehend what 


A FRESH DISASTER 


97 


was taking place and at the slightest noise they 
would start in terror. For several moments there 
had been no firing. Suddenly a volley of shots 
rang out, apparently coming from some place in 
the rear of the house. 

A moment later there was a clatter of hoofs and 
five Uhlans galloped past the window where Leon 
was seated. They picked up their comrades who 
had fallen and carried them off down the lane. 
As far as Leon could see one of the men was dead 
and the other badly wounded. 

4 ‘Where do you suppose the others are?” asked 
Leon, turning to his friend. 

“I don’t know, but I guess the poor Belgian 
farmer and his sons have paid the penalty for their 
rash act . ’ 9 

“Shall we go outside?” 

“ By no means. Stay where you are. ’ 9 

“I think we ought to find out what has hap- 
pened to our friends, don’t you?” 

“What can we do for them? Don’t forget that 
all the Germans haven’t left yet, and we’d better 
lie low until they go. ’ ’ 

There was a commotion outside at that moment, 


98 THE AIR SCOUT 

and the German officer came stalking into the 
room, followed by three of his men. His face was 
livid with rage and he shook his fist at the two 
Americans and the two women, all the time talking 
in a loud voice. No one could understand what he 
was saying, but it was an anxious moment for all 
concerned. 

Finally he seemed to give some order and his 
men started toward the two American refugees. 

“I guess we’re to he arrested,” said Leon’s 
friend in a low voice. 

Evidently the officer suddenly changed his 
mind, however. He gave a short, sharp com- 
mand, the soldiers wheeled and, headed by their 
officer, marched out of the house. 

The two women had not once moved while all 
these events were taking place. They seemed to 
be paralyzed with fear and merely sat staring 
hopelessly straight ahead of them. No one of 
the four people left in the house made any move 
to leave and for some time they all waited in si- 
lence. 

The Uhlans galloping past the window, roused 
them from their lethargy. Leon watched the 


A FRESH DISASTER 


99 


riders as they disappeared down the lane and 
into the dusk. 

“They’ve all gone,” said Leon finally. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes, I counted them; there were two on one 
horse, the officer and one of his men. I guess his 
horse must have been killed.” 

“Thank heaven they have left! I was nerv- 
ous for a while there. Now we’d better go out 
and see if we can find our three friends. I don’t 
know what to do about these two women.” 

“Leave them alone,” said Leon. “There is 
nothing you can do for them. Come on, let’s go 
out.” 

He sprang to his feet and started toward the 
door. His friend followed an instant later, only 
to run squarely into Leon on his way back. 

“The house is on fire!” cried Leon. 

Even as he spoke the smoke began rolling into 
the doorway where they were standing. 

“Get the women out!” exclaimed Leon. 

They hurried into the sitting room yelling 
“Fire” in their loudest tones. The women 
did not understand what they were saying, but 


100 


THE AIR SCOUT 


they quickly realized that something momentous 
was happening. The two Americans seized the 
woman and her daughter by their arms and half 
dragged them to their feet and then led them out 
of the room. The smoke was rolling in in a dense 
cloud now and it was desperate work getting the 
women out of doors. 

Once there they rubbed the smoke out of their 
eyes, and, looking about them, for the first time 
Leon and his friend realized that not only was 
the house on fire, but the barns and all the other 
outbuildings were burning as well. 

The flames had progressed too far for there 
to be any possibility of putting them out now, 
and already the sky began to glow with the glare 
of the conflagration. 


CHAPTER XIII 


A NIGHT IN THE OPEN 



[HEY stood helplessly, watching the fire. 


Our bags ! ’ 9 exclaimed Leon suddenly. 


“They are in the house and we must get 

them ! 9 9 

He started to run swiftly toward the blazing 
building, but his friend caught him by his arm 
and held him firmly. 

“Don’t be foolish, my boy,” he urged. “Just 
look at that blaze; there isn’t a chance that you 
would ever come out alive. Forget the bags.” 

“But all my belongings are in them.” 

“You are no worse off than I am.” 

“We’re absolutely stranded,” protested Leon. 

“I know it,” said his friend calmly, “but it 
won’t do us any good to worry about it.” 

“Where shall we spend the night? How shall 
we reach Brussels? How shall we get anything 
to eat?” 


101 


102 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Leon fired a volley of questions at his friend. 

“I don’t know any more about it than you 
do/’ replied that individual. “The first thing, it 
seems to me, is to look for our three Belgian 
friends.’ ’ 

“That’s right,” exclaimed Leon, instantly for- 
getting his own troubles. “Where are the 
women?” he cried, suddenly glancing around him. 

They had disappeared completely and without 
even being noticed. 

“That’s a queer thing,” said Leon’s friend. 
“Let’s look over by the barn.” 

They made their way in that direction and met 
the women coming toward them. Both were 
weeping and as they came up to the two Ameri- 
cans they pointed toward the blazing barn. The 
mother held up three fingers. 

“She means the three men are in that fire!” 
said Leon. “You don’t suppose they were 
burned alive, do you?” he cried in horror. 

“Oh, no, I can’t believe that. Probably they 
ran into the barn and the Germans shot them 
there. Then they set the building on fire.” 

“That makes my blood boil!” exclaimed Leon 


A NIGHT IN THE OPEN 


103 


hotly. “They had no right to do such a thing !” 

“Don’t forget that the farmer and his sons 
started the row,” said his friend. 

“No, they didn’t,” protested Leon. “Didn’t 
the Germans start off with their cattle first? 
Would you sit quietly by and let someone treat 
your property that way? You know you 
wouldn’t, neither would I and neither would any- 
one who has a drop of red blood in his veins! 
Things like that make me furious ; I tell you I side 
with the Belgians so far, and many more things 
like this would almost make me enlist.” 

“You certainly seem excited about it,” said 
his friend, looking at Leon in amazement. 

“I am. I can understand exactly how that 
farmer felt when they started off with his cattle. 
I’d have done the same thing that he and his 
sons did, too.” 

“If you had, you’d probably be where they are 
now. ’ ’ 

“That may be,” replied Leon. “Perhaps it’s 
because I have French blood in me, but all of a 
sudden I am becoming awfully excited about this 
whole thing.” 


104 


THE AIR SCOUT 


The fire was burning hotly and all the build- 
ings on the farm appeared to be doomed. Leon 
and his friend seemed stunned by the events of 
the day and merely stood aimlessly watching the 
conflagration, with no idea of what to do or where 
to go. 

The two women now came up to them and made 
signs that they were leaving. They pointed to- 
ward the West and extended their hands to say 
good-by to the two men. 

“ Oughtn’t we to go with them?” said Leon. 

“No, let them alone,” replied his friend. 
“They know where they are going and we can’t 
be of any use to them. Probably we’d only be 
in the way.” 

They shook hands and the women turned and 
made their way off into the night. Their spirits 
seemed crushed and they could hardly be blamed 
for their feelings when in one short half-hour 
they had lost all their property and three men 
out of their family. 

The two Americans watched them disappear 
into the darkness. Then they turned and in si- 
lence stood looking at the fire for some time. 


A NIGHT IN THE OPEN 


105 


At length Leon’s friend spoke. 

44 Let’s be on our way,” he said. 

4 4 Where to?” 

4 4 To Brussels, of course.” 

4 4 You mean to walk?” asked Leon. 

44 I don’t see how else we could get very far,” 
said his friend grimly. 4 4 We’d better be moving, 
too, as it is a long way from here.” 

There was nothing more said and in silence 
they started down the lane. Their baggage was 
gone, they had but little money, they had no idea 
where they were or in what direction to go, and 
the combination of circumstances made them any- 
thing but cheerful. 

The night was dark and it was difficult to see 
the road with any certainty. Leon almost fell 
over the carcass of the German officer’s horse 
stretched across the path. Stark and stiff it lay, 
a great dark blotch under the trees. A wave of 
pity for the unfortunate animal swept over the 
young American. The horse was not responsible 
for the war and yet here he was one of the first 
victims to be sacrificed, without having a chance 
to save himself. He had carried his master 


106 


THE AIR SCOUT 


faithfully where he had been directed and this 
apparently was the reward of his faithfulness. 

Soon the two travelers came to the main road. 

“To the right here, I guess,” said Leon’s 
friend. 

“That’s the way we were going when we were 
run away with, anyway,” said Leon. “We 
might as well go that way as any.” 

“What’s the matter? You seem discouraged,” 
observed his companion. 

“To tell the truth I do feel sort of that way. 
If I could only get a good meal and some sleep 
I’m sure I’d feel better.” 

“That’s so, we didn’t have anything to eat, did 
we? I’m tired and hungry myself.” 

“Where shall we spend the night?” asked 
Leon. 

“I’ve no idea. Perhaps we’ll have to sleep 
out somewhere. I’m afraid we might have an- 
other experience like the last one if we try any 
more farmhouses.” 

“Sleeping out doesn’t worry me as much as 
not having any food,” said Leon ruefully. 

“Well, I don’t see what we can do about it. In 


A NIGHT IN THE OPEN 


107 


the morning we can go to some house, hut in such 
darkness as this I think it would be foolish, don’t 
you?” 

‘ 4 Perhaps it would,” agreed Leon. “Anyway, 
I guess I can stand it if you can.” 

They trudged on in silence for some time. No 
one passed them on the road, but the far off 
booming of guns could be distinctly heard. The 
steady rumble and roar of the cannon kept up 
incessantly and it sounded as if someone had a 
bass drum hidden in the bushes and was drum- 
ming quietly on it with his fingers. 

Leon’s thoughts were many and varied. He 
wondered what his brother Earl was doing now 
in England, and if he would be worried. Eng- 
land, too, had now declared war on Germany, he 
remembered having heard. Earl must know his 
brother was right in the thick of the trouble and 
perhaps he had been trying to reach him by tele- 
graph or cable. That Earl himself could be in 
any trouble never occurred to Leon. How far he 
was from the truth, however. 

His thoughts were interrupted by his friend’s 


voice. 


108 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ Let’s go into this patch of woods and spend 
the night,’ ’ he suggested. “We can make beds 
out of branches or something and we ought to be 
safe enough there.” 

“I’m agreeable,” replied Leon, and together 
they left the road and entered the woods. 

Hardly had they reached the shelter of the 
trees when they were startled by the sound of a 
bugle only a short distance down the road. 


CHAPTER XIV 


IN THE MIDST OF THE ENEMY 


G ERMAN troops !” exclaimed Leon in a 
low voice. 

“How do you know they’re Ger- 


mans ?” 

“I don’t, but I think they must be.” 

“No matter who they are, I don’t believe they’d 
be very glad to see us. We’d better keep out of 
sight.” 

“W-e’re safe enough in the woods here, don’t 
you think?” asked Leon. “No one will be likely 
to see us here.” 

“Oh, yes, we’re all right where we are, but I 
think we’d better stay here.” 

They made their way slowly and carefully 
among the trees in the direction of the bugle-call. 
The clump of woods was not more than a quarter 
of a mile in extent and not especially thick, but 
the night was dark and there was but small 
chance of anyone spying the two refugees. 

109 


110 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“They were probably just a troop marching 
by on their way to Liege,’ ’ whispered Leon. 

“Perhaps so,” replied his friend. “Let’s take 
a peek out of the woods and see what we see. 
What do you say!” 

“All right,” agreed Leon readily. “That suits 
me first rate.” 

They continued their stealthy advance and be- 
fore many minutes had passed they came to the 
edge of the woods. They were now on the side 
opposite that by which they had entered.” 

“It’s a camp,” exclaimed Leon. “A large one, 
too.” 

“It seems to be,” replied his friend. “I’d like 
to know whether it is Belgian or German.” 

“What would you do if you knew?” 

“Nothing, I guess. I don’t believe I’d want 
to walk into an armed camp like this in the mid- 
dle of the night. Before you had a chance to say 
who you were some over-anxious sentry might — ” 

“S-s-h!” whispered Leon in his ear, at the 
same time grasping him by his arm and drawing 
him back among the shadows of the trees. 

An instant later a sentry appeared. His gun 


IN THE MIDST OF THE ENEMY 111 


was over his shoulder and he peered intently into 
the woods as he came along. Leon and his friend 
almost held their breath, when directly opposite 
the place where they were standing the sentry 
stopped. He dropped his gun to the ground and 
stood looking in among the trees, apparently di- 
rectly at the spot where they stood. 

It was easier for them to see him than it would 
have been for him to make them out. He stood 
in the open field, his figure silhouetted against the 
sky, while the glow of the many camp-fires shone 
behind him. The two Americans did not realize 
this at the time, however, and they expected at 
any minute to hear the picket challenge them. 
Rigid they stood, without moving a muscle and 
scarcely daring to breathe. 

All at once the sentry raised his gun to his 
shoulder again and moved on. He sighed heavily 
as if he was almost worn out, but he showed no 
signs of having seen anyone in the shadows in 
front of him. 

For a full two minutes after he had gone Leon 
and his friend remained standing exactly as be- 
fore. 


112 


THE AIK SCOUT 


i i Come along, ’ ’ whispered Leon’s friend at 
last; and crouching low they made their way 
deeper into the recesses of the woods. 

Coming to a point which seemed to be about 
the center they stopped and seated themselves 
under a large tree. 

“That was pretty close, I should say,” said 
Leon. 

“It certainly was. I thought of course he had 
seen us; I don’t see how he failed to hear me 
talking, anyway.” 

“I just saw something moving over a clump of 
bushes while you were talking, ’ ’ said Leon, ‘ ‘ and 
I didn’t wait for anything more.” 

“It’s a good thing you didn’t. He was a Ger- 
man and probably unable to speak a word of 
English ; we might have had a hard time explain- 
ing our presence here.” 

“How do. you know he was a German?” 

“By his uniform. Didn’t you notice his hel- 
met? I’ve seen enough German soldiers in my 
life to be able to recognize one anywhere.” 

“Do you suppose he was attached to the cav- 
alry that we met this afternoon?” inquired Leon. 


IN THE MIDST OF THE ENEMY 113 


“No, lie was in the infantry, I’m sure. You see 
the cavalry usually goes on ahead and acts as a 
scout and as a screen for the infantry. The 
Uhlans we saw this afternoon were probably a 
part of the advance guard of these troops.’ ’ 

“How many men do you suppose are in this 
camp ? ’ ’ 

“I’ve no idea at all. Several thousand, though, 
I should say.” 

“We’re right in it, aren’t we?” exclaimed 
Leon. 

“We are indeed; too much so for me. Even 
if we are, though, we must get soihe sleep. Are 
you ready?” 

“I am. Where shall we sleep? Right here?” 

“It seems all right to me. The moss is fairly 
thick under these old trees and we ought to get 
some rest.” 

“All right, then,” said Leon. “Good night.” 

“Good night.” 

A moment later two very tired and disconso- 
late young Americans were sleeping quietly be- 
neath an ancient tree in a patch of woods in the 
heart of Belgium. All about them the great 


114 


THE AIR SCOUT 


game of war was going on. In the distance 
boomed the cannon of the defenders and besieg- 
ers of tbe valiant city of Liege. That afternoon 
they had had a first taste of some of the real hor- 
rors of war. In the evening they had stumbled 
right upon a huge camp filled with men whose 
main purpose in life at the present moment was 
to take life away from their fellowmen. The sit- 
uation was bad. 

However, the two Americans were untroubled 
by any such thoughts. They slept soundly and 
heavily until daybreak, when the sounds of bugles 
aroused them. 

“The troops are moving,’ ’ exclaimed Leon’s 
friend, shaking him by the shoulder. “We’d bet- 
ter be awake and in a position to see what is 
going on. ’ ’ 

“I’m awake,” replied Leon, sitting up at once. 

“Good. Let’s creep over nearer the road and 
watch them march by. I think they have started 
already. ’ ’ 

On their hands and knees they started their ad- 
vance through the trees. They were afraid to 
stand up, now that it was becoming light; the 


IN THE MIDST OF THE ENEMY 115 


woods were quite open except in one or two spots 
and detection would have been easy. 

There was one especially thick clump of bushes 
at one corner of the woods and towards this they 
made their way. It was no easy task to travel 
on all fours, as they were doing, and their prog- 
ress was not rapid. Before long, however, they 
came to their destination and soon were hidden 
behind the thick bushes, but in a position where 
they could see the road plainly and for some dis- 
tance. 

The troops had started, as Leon’s friend said. 
Down the road, in the direction from which the 
two refugees had come, they were headed. Five 
abreast they came, a grim looking procession. 
Every man was dressed in a steel gray uniform 
and in the early morning light the army looked 
almost like a huge bank of fog rolling down the 
road. At a little distance they seemed to become 
a part of the landscape and it was difficult to 
make them out distinctly. 

Officers rode up and down by the side of the 
road exhorting the men to make better time. 
They swung along rank after rank and in silence, 


116 


THE AIR SCOUT 


except for the indistinct noise that arose from the 
foot-beats of such a vast horde. 

It was an inspiring sight to the watchers from 
the bushes. It seemed to them they had never 
seen a more business-like or better equipped body 
of men than these. The wagons followed closely 
after each division, the cook-wagons interesting 
Leon most of all. He was forcibly reminded by 
the smell of food that he had not eaten since 
early the preceding day. 

At length the marching troops had all passed. 
It seemed to Leon to have taken an endless time 
and he was stiff and sore from the cramped po- 
sition he had been in. Making sure that no one 
was in sight the two crept out into the road. 
The roads seemed to be clear and they started 
to reconnoiter the spot where the camp had 
been. 

“ Hello, what’s this?” exclaimed Leon, picking 
up a bundle lying by the roadside. 

4 ‘Open it and see.” 

“It’s a ham,” said Leon joyfully, tearing the 
wrapping off one corner of his prize. 

“One of the wagons must have dropped it,” 


IN THE MIDST OF THE ENEMY 117 


said his friend. “Do yon think they will get it 
back?” 

“I do not,” replied Leon decidedly. “Food is 
what I want and here is some right here. Let’s 
build a fire out here and cook it.” 

“We have nothing to cook it in.” 

“What’s the difference? We can roast it on 
the end of a stick ; I simply must have something 
to eat.” 

“All right,” agreed his friend. “We’re safe 
enough here, no matter who comes along.” 

“I guess so,” said Leon. “At any rate it isn’t 
worrying me much just now.” 

The camp ground was a large level field, about 
a half-mile square. Some of the fires were still 
smoldering and Leon soon had a cheery blaze 
started. They found sticks, and whittling them 
to a point, placed chunks of the ham on them, 
roasting the meal over the blaze. 

“The best meal I have ever had,” announced 
Leon, delightedly chewing at a morsel of half- 
cooked meat. 

“It does taste pretty good, doesn’t it?” re- 
plied his friend, also busily eating. 


118 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“I sort of like this life, anyway,” said Leon. 
4 6 There is just enough happening to suit me.” 

“Well, here’s something more happening right 
now, ’ * exclaimed his friend. 6 ‘ Look there ! ’ 9 
He pointed toward the horizon and to the 
south. Following his directions Leon looked, as 
his companion had suggested. Far distant he 
beheld a tiny shape against the clouds and then 
in back of the first one he saw another like it. 
They seemed to be approaching rapidly. 

“What do you see?” inquired his friend. 

“I see two aeroplanes, one evidently chasing 
the other,” replied Leon. 


CHAPTER XV 


7JT 


AN OLD FRIEND 

JHEY’RE coming this way!” cried Leon 
excitedly. 

He had immediately forgotten all 
about eating, so interested had he become in the 
flying machines. 

“You’re right!” agreed his friend. “It looks 
as if they would pass right over our heads. 
What makes you think one is chasing the other, 
though ? ’ ’ 

“I don’t know; I just said that. That’s prob- 
ably what is happening, just the same. The one 
in back is gaining, too, I think; just see them go.” 

“You can’t tell from here whether one is gain- 
ing or not,” protested his friend. “They’re 
traveling pretty rapidly though.” 

“I should say so! The second one is chasing 
the other!” exclaimed Leon excitedly. “I saw a 
puff of smoke and they were undoubtedly shoot- 
ing at the one ahead.” 


119 


120 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ There’s another shot!” he cried a moment 
later. 4 ‘The one in the lead is firing, too.” 

The aeroplanes were flying high and fast. 
There could be no doubt but that it was a pursuit 
and a chase, for from where the two Americans 
were standing they could see many tiny puffs of 
smoke, indicating shooting from both planes. 
There were evidently two men in each machine, 
but it was impossible to tell what flags were 
showing on the bottom of them. 

Leon was almost beside himself with excite- 
ment. 

“Look at that!” he cried. “They are right 
squarely over us now. How long do you suppose 
the race will keep up?” 

“Well,” said his friend, “if that second ma- 
chine is French, as I think it is, I don’t believe 
it will keep up very much longer. They are in- 
side the German lines now and that aviator would 
be a fool to go any farther. He must have nerve 
to come as far as this.” 

The fliers had passed them now and were trav- 
eling rapidly eastward. Suddenly, as Leon’s 


AN OLD FRIEND 


121 


friend stopped speaking, the second machine 
changed its course. 

“They’re turning back,” exclaimed Leon. 
“You were right; it must be a French ma- 
chine.” 

“The first one is keeping right on, you notice. 
I guess they have had enough. ’ 9 

“I’d like to have seen the Frenchman wreck 
it,” said Leon earnestly. 

“You’re becoming awfully bloodthirsty, aren’t 
you?” exclaimed his friend. 

i i I am, and I ’ve about made up my mind to en- 
list, too. Did you know that?” 

“To enlist! What do you mean?” 

“Just what I say. I’m going to enlist in the 
French army if I get a chance. I want to fight 
the Germans.” 

“Do you realize what you are saying?” 

“I certainly do, and I mean every bit of it. I 
am going to keep my intentions to myself, 
though, if we fall in with any more German sol- 
diers.” 

“I’m sorry youVe decided to do this,” said his 


122 


THE AIR SCOUT 


friend seriously. “I don’t see the use in your 
risking your life.” 

“I won’t be hurt,” said Leon confidently. 
“I’m lucky.” 

“The other day you said you were a Jonah.” 

“If I enlist I expect my luck to change,” 
laughed Leon. “I’m serious about it, though,” 
he added quietly. 

“Well, I’m — ” 

“Look there!” interrupted Leon suddenly. 
“Here comes that aeroplane right down in this 
field. I had forgotten entirely about it when I 
was talking to you. ’ ’ 

i 1 Sure enough, ’ ’ agreed his friend. “ It is going 
to land here, I believe.” 

Lower and lower dropped the great mechanical 
bird. The whirr of its motors could be plainly 
heard now, and there was no doubt that it would 
alight in the field where they were standing. 

“It’ll land over here,” cried Leon. “Let’s go 
meet it,” and he immediately started on a swift 
run across the field. 

His friend followed more slowly, but Leon 
stopped and waited for him. Close by their 


AN OLD FRIEND 


123 


heads skimmed the aeroplane and soon it hit the 
ground and ran along for about fifty yards be- 
fore it came to a full stop. 

“It’s a French machine, all right,’ ’ said Leon, 
as he caught sight of the tri-colored flag fastened 
to the bottom, “and one of the men in it is 
wounded, I should say.” 

“He surely is,” agreed his friend. “Did you 
see how he sat there all limp and how his head 
just flopped over on one side!” 

“That’s probably why they gave up the 
chase,” said Leon. “The men in the other aero- 
plane must have hit him.” 

The two Americans were hurrying as fast as 
they could go over the ground to reaoii the ma- 
chine, and for some strange reason it never 
seemed to occur to them that they might be taken 
for enemies. 

A sharp challenge in French brought them to 
their senses, however, and they suddenly found 
themselves looking into the barrel of a big rifle 
held by one of the aviators. Both Americans 
halted abruptly and unconsciously threw up their 
hands. The man with the gun had an aviator’s 


124 


THE AIR SCOUT 


helmet on his head and it was impossible to see 
his features. Leon and his friend would have felt 
better if they could have seen the expression of his 
face. 

All at once their challenger did a strange thing. 
He dropped his gun and rushed straight at the 
two astonished Americans. 

“Leon,” he cried, “mon ami! It is I! It is 
Jacques.” 

The man tore the helmet from off his head as 
he ran forward and sure enough it was Leon’s 
old friend, Jacques Dineau. 

“Jacques!” cried Leon in his turn. “I cer- 
tainly am glad to see you.” 

He held out his hand enthusiastically to the 
young Frenchman. Jacques did more than at- 
tempt to shake hands, however ; he grasped Leon 
around his neck and kissed him on both cheeks. 
The young American was not prepared for this 
greeting and was much embarrassed, greatly to 
his friend’s amusement. 

“I am so glad to see you,” exclaimed Jacques; 
“but what are you doing here?” 


AN OLD FRIEND 


125 


“I might ask the same question of you,” said! 
Leon. 

“Ah, my comrade is hurt,” said Jacques, “and 
I had to descend. Come and see him.” 

Leon introduced Jacques to his friend and then 
all three hastened to look after the wounded man. 
He was lying on the ground, his left leg shattered 
by a bullet. He was suffering great pain, hut his 
teeth were set and he said little. 

“He must have attention,” said Jacques, turn- 
ing appealingly to Leon and his friend. “He will 
die soon if he does not.” 

“Why not take him to that house over there?” 
said Leon, pointing to a little white cottage about 
a quarter of a mile away. 

“Good!” exclaimed Jacques. “We three can 
carrj him, if I dare leave my aeroplane here.” 

“It’s a chance, all right,” agreed Leon’s 
friend. 

“It must be taken, however,” insisted Jacques. 
“Come, we will hurry.” 

Carefully they lifted the wounded man and bore 
him to the little white house in the distance. He 


126 


THE AIR SCOUT 


was in agony all the way, and, try as he would, 
he could not stifle an occasional groan. They 
reached the cottage at last, however, and were 
warmly welcomed by the Belgian peasants. The 
newcomers were the first of the French army they 
had seen and they were delighted to be of service. 
One of the children was dispatched to see if a 
doctor could he found and in the meantime Leon’s 
friend, who knew something of medicine, cared 
for the wounded man. Much as Jacques wished 
to stay, he could not. 

“I must hasten back to my aeroplane,” he ex- 
claimed. “Perhaps by now it is captured, as this 
country is all alive with Germans. It takes two 
to start it,” he said, looking appealingly at Leon. 
“Will you help me!” 

“I certainly will,” cried Leon at once. 

They wasted no more words, but hurried out 
of the house and ran back to the field where the 
aeroplane had been left. On the way they briefly 
outlined to each other their experiences since last 
they had met. Jacques was particularly excited 
at Leon’s declaration that he intended to enlist 


AN OLD FRIEND 


127 


in the French army. He even stopped to con- 
gratulate him and shake his hand. 

“That is wonderful, my friend,’ ’ he exclaimed. 
“I knew we would meet again, hut I never ex- 
pected it to be under such happy conditions. It 
makes me so glad to think of you wishing to fight 
on the side of France. ’ ’ 

“I intend to enlist the first chance I have,” said 
Leon. “If I can only reach the French lines! 
Of course I shall before very long, but until I do 
I have to be very careful.” 

“Of course,” agreed Jacques. “I hope we 
may see each other often when that time comes. 
Unless of course some mishap comes to me.” 

“Let’s hope not,” said Leon earnestly. 

They soon came to the edge of the field and 
speedily were preparing the aeroplane for the 
start. Soon everything was ready and Jacques 
had climbed into his seat. They had said good-by 
and Leon was turning away. As he did so he 
spied a troop of Uhlan cavalry approaching down 
the road. They seemed to catch sight of the fly- 
ing machine at the same instant, and a moment 


128 THE AIR SCOUT 

later were spurring tlieir horses at full gallop in 
its direction. 

“Here come the Uhlans, Jacques!” cried Leon. 
“Hurry for your life.” 

Jacques glanced around. 

“Come with me, Leon!” he urged quickly. 
“You intend to enlist. Why not go with me now 
and do so? Decide at once.” 

For an instant Leon was staggered by the pro- 
posal. Suddenly to start off like this was beyond 
his plans. But what was there to hinder him? 
As Jacques had said, he intended to enlist, so why 
not start now. 

“I’m with you!” he cried, and an instant later 
was seated alongside Jacques in the aeroplane. 
The motor was started, Jacques turned on the 
power, they shot along the ground for about a 
hundred feet or so and then they rose steadily and 
swiftly. 

Leon’s first ride in an aeroplane was commenc- 
ing in a thrilling manner. Before he had time to 
collect his wits he heard an angry shout from be- 
low and a volley of shots rang out. 


CHAPTER XVI 


IN THE FRENCH LINES 

4 ‘F ■ "1HEY will never hit ns,’’ sneered 
Jacques. “We were too quick for 
them and now we are out of range.” 

Over the tops of the trees they sped. To Leon 
the whole country below him seemed like a great 
green rushing wave, and never before had he felt 
such a sensation of speed. Higher and higher 
they mounted, but as they left the ground below 
them the feeling of speed disappeared, the aero- 
plane seemed to be steadier and Leon for some 
reason felt safer. 

He did not dare look down ; it was his first ex- 
perience in an aeroplane and he was afraid he 
might be dizzy. He was not nervous, however. 
His ride was planned for him so quickly and un- 
expectedly that he had had no chance to think 
about it. 

“Look down,” said Jacques. 

129 


130 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“I don’t dare just now. Wait until I am a lit- 
tle more accustomed to being up here.” 

‘ 4 That’s so. I bad forgotten this was your 
first trip. I said to look down because you could 
see the armies.” 

Glancing down quickly, Leon discovered that 
after all the sight did not affect him badly. Far 
below him the country lay stretching, green and 
fertile, before his eyes. Here and there were lit- 
tle white dots where the houses stood and connect- 
ing them ran little ribbons, which Leon supposed 
to be roads. It was a marvelous sensation. 

‘ ‘ Where are the armies V ’ he asked. 

“To our left,” replied Jacques. “That river 
you see is the Meuse and along the bank you may 
see the German army encamped. Soon we shall 
be over Liege.” 

“How high are we?” 

Jacques consulted his indicator. 

“Nearly five thousand feet,” he said. 

“We’re out of range, then, aren’t we?” 

“It would take a pretty good shot to hit us 
now,” said Jacques grimly. “See, there is 
Liege.” 


IN THE FRENCH LINES 


131 


Sure enough Leon could see the city just ahead 
of them. Situated on both hanks of the Meuse 
it was evidently being subjected to a frightful 
bombardment. The noise of their motors pre- 
vented the sound of battle from reaching their 
ears, but continuous puffs of smoke indicated that 
heavy firing was going on. 

“Tell me what you see,” said Jacques. “I 
cannot look down very much, as I must keep my 
eye on my steering. We do not want an accident 
at this time.” 

“No, nor at any other time, either,” said Leon 
fervently. “It’s wonderful up here, though.” 

“Look quickly at Liege,” cautioned Jacques. 
“We are traveling nearly sixty miles an hour and 
we will soon be past and unable to see what is 
happening.” 

“The Germans are trying to cross the river on 
little bridges,” said Leon, quickly carrying out 
his friend’s request. “The Belgians are firing at 
them.” 

“A whole bridge and everybody on it just dis- 
appeared,” cried Leon in astonishment. “What 
shots those men must be.” 


132 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Do you see many German troops ?” 

“The east bank of the river is alive with them. 
Not right on the bank, but a little distance back; 
they are probably preparing to move forward.” 

“Yes,” agreed Jacques, “and the slaughter will 
be frightful. The Belgians are very brave.” 

“They certainly are. They are so brave they 
are reckless at times. I saw an example of that 
yesterday.” 

Liege had disappeared in the distance now, and 
Leon had no idea whither the aeroplane was 
bound. He glanced at Jacques, who scarcely took 
his gaze off the planes in front of him, save for 
an occasional glance around. It was bitterly cold 
where they were and traveling at such a speed. 
Leon was chilled through, but he did not refer to 
his feelings. He glanced at the huge monoplane 
in which he was riding and a thrill shot through 
him as he suddenly realized he was riding in a 
French army aeroplane. 

He was on his way to enlist in what would prob- 
ably be the biggest war in the history of the 
world. Already he had been under fire and as he 


IN THE FRENCH LINES 133 

looked back be remembered that be had not been 
frightened. He thought to himself, though, that 
he really had not had time to be either brave or 
a coward. The shots that whistled past their ears 
had made but little effect on him compared with 
his realization that he was going up in an aero- 
plane. 

“Did you see us coming to-day ?” asked 
Jacques, interrupting Leon’s thoughts. 

“ I certainly did and I was cheering for you to 
wreck that German machine, too. Where did you 
first meet it?” 

“It was close to our lines. I had been sent out 
to scout the nearby country to see if any roving 
parties of Uhlans were about. Some few miles 
out we saw that German flyer approaching and 
we rose to meet it; it turned back and we fol- 
lowed. It was a hard chase and we should have 
soon finished them, I think, if my comrade had 
not been hit. We were gaining all the time and 
soon would have had a good shot at them.” 

“You were reckless to follow them so far, I 


think.” 


134 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Yes, we were. We did not realize how far 
we had gone, but we were very eager to catch 
them.” 

“Where are we hound now?” inquired Leon. 

‘ ‘ To my army. I hope it will be yours, too, very 
soon. We are nearly there now.” 

“Iam glad of that, for I am almost frozen.” 

“Of course you are and it never occurred to 
me,” exclaimed Jacques. “I am so sorry.” 

“It’s no matter at all, and I can stand it all 
right, but the next time I go flying I am going to 
wear more clothes.” 

“What division of the army will you enlist in?” 
inquired Jacques. 

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought much about 
that part of it; but in the infantry, I suppose.” 

“How would you like to join the aviation 
corps ? ’ 9 

“What do you mep?” 

“What I say. How would you like to join the 
aviation corps and be an air scout? Every ma- 
chine carries two men, one the pilot and the other 
a lookout. You would be my lookout. My com- 
rade who was wounded to-day was with me until 


IN THE FRENCH LINES 135 

now, but he is disabled and perhaps it might be 
arranged for you to take his place.’ ’ 

1 ‘ That would suit me better than anything else 
in the world!” cried Leon excitedly. “Do you 
think you can arrange it that way?” 

“I am not sure, but I will do my best.” 

“I don’t know anything about an aeroplane, 
you know,” protested Leon. “That would count 
against me.” 

“Not of necessity. I am the pilot and I will 
run the engine, so to speak. You must keep your 
eyes open and make notes of all you see.” 

“That would be wonderful,” cried Leon en- 
thusiastically. “I feel quite at home in the aero- 
plane already and I am sure I could do the work. ’ ’ 

“You must make no mistakes, you know,” cau- 
tioned Jacques. “If we are sent out to locate the 
forces of the enemy we must report them exactly 
as they are, for an error on our part might mean 
failure to our whole army.” 

“I shall make no mistakes,” said the young 
American confidently. 

“I feel sure of that, and now here we are at 
our camp.” 


136 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Far ahead Leon could see the encampment. It 
resembled a toy camp from where he was, the 
soldiers might have been the size of the little tin 
figures he used to play with when he was a small 
boy and the tents were proportionately small. 

They were descending rapidly now and as they 
neared the trees once more, Leon had the same 
sensation of speed that he had felt when ascend- 
ing. He came to the conclusion that it must be 
because they were close to objects and could see 
them rushing past. High in the air they had 
nothing to judge by, and for this reason they 
seemed to be moving more slowly and steadily. 

About five hundred feet from the ground 
Jacques shut oft the motor. Then they glided 
gracefully down and without mishap alighted in a 
large field adjoining the encampment. Mechan- 
ics at once took charge of the monoplane and soon 
rolled it in out of sight in a nearby hangar. 

Leon was still cold and undergoing some- 
thing of a reaction after his ride. He was in- 
tensely hungry, too. Jacques at once led him to 
his tent; there he left him and went in search 
of food. He soon returned with hot broth 


IN THE FRENCH LINES 


137 


and meat which Leon lost no time in consuming. 

J acques had to report his return and any items 
of news he might have picked up so he left Leon 
alone in the tent. Jacques was to inquire about 
the enlistment and bring back whatever informa- 
tion he could obtain. 

Leon did not venture out, as he was unfamiliar 
with the regulations and spoke but little French. 
He lay on the narrow bed of blankets inside the 
tent and thought over all his experiences. He had 
certainly never contemplated anything like the 
things that had happened to him ever since he 
had left home. 

Here was the most important thing of all, too, 
right at hand now. He was thinking of enlisting 
in the French army. Perhaps he might be killed 
or maimed for life. He knew that if he wanted 
to withdraw he could not do so later, and the pres- 
ent was the time to decide. He thought it all over 
slowly and seriously and in a brief time his mind 
was made up. 

He had decided to enlist. 

Just at that moment Jacques stuck his head in 
the flap of the tent and called him. 


CHAPTER XVII 


A SOLDIER OF FRANCE 

6 W WILL take you to the officer in charge,’ ’ 
I said Jacques. “I have talked to him 
and am quite positive you may enlist in 
the aviation corps, as I suggested.” 

“I hope so,” exclaimed Leon eagerly. “I am 
sure I can do all that is required of me.” 

“Convince the officer of that and all will he 
well. ’ ’ 

“Does he speak; English?” 

“Not at all. I shall have to act as your inter- 
preter. ’ ’ 

They now were walking through one of the nar- 
row streets of the camp and everywhere Leon 
saw soldiers. The encampment was only a tem- 
porary one, and consequently was not in as good 
order as it would have been otherwise. No one 
knew how long the army would be stationed there 
and every man was prepared to move at a mo- 
ment’s notice. 


138 


A SOLDIER OF FRANCE 


139 


The two young men, walking through the camp, 
aroused but little interest, though not a single de- 
tail of his surroundings escaped Leon’s eye. 
What impressed him most of all was the attitude 
of the men; they all had an expression of eager- 
ness on their faces as though impatient to move 
on and begin fighting at once. They seemed to 
be strangely confident and in fine spirits. 

Leon spoke of this fact to his companion. 

“Why not?” said Jacques simply. “Every 
true Frenchman is eager and happy to fight for 
his country. We do not want our land invaded 
and we are impatiently waiting for a chance to 
drive back the invaders.” 

“It’s a wonderful spirit!” exclaimed Leon. 

“Of course it is,” said Jacques, “and that is 
one thing that France counts on. Here we are at 
our destination.” 

They had arrived at a large-sized tent, in front 
of which was posted a sentry. Jacques spoke a 
few words to this man who thereupon disappeared 
within the tent. He reappeared a moment later 
and held the flap of the tent open for the two 
young men to enter. 


140 


THE AIR SCOUT 


As they came in, an officer who had been sitting 
on a box writing, arose to meet them. Jacques 
saluted and then the two Frenchmen talked rap- 
idly to each other for a few moments. The offi- 
cer was a large man and he kept looking interest- 
edly at Leon. Jacques was evidently praising his 
friend and doing all in his power to place him in 
a favorable light. 

They ceased talking and the officer extended 
his hand to Leon who winced at the vise-like 
grip. 

“He says you look all right ,’ 9 said Jacques, 
smiling, “but he wants to be sure that you know 
what you are doing.” 

“There is not the slightest doubt in the world 
about it,” exclaimed Leon seriously. 

“Very well. Are you ready to sign now!” 

“At any time. The sooner the better.” 

Jacques conveyed this information to the officer 
who beckoned Leon over to the place where the 
box on which he had been seated was located. He 
picked up an impressive looking document with a 
huge seal on it and handed it to Leon. The 
young American could read the most of it and 


A SOLDIER OF FRANCE 


141 


Jacques supplied what he could not understand. 
He felt very serious as he read what would be re- 
quired of him in his new duties in the army of 
France, but he did not flinch. 

“You are satisfied ?” asked Jacques at length. 

“Perfectly.’’ 

“Then you sign there,” said Jacques, pointing 
to a line at the bottom of the sheet. “First you 
must swear, though.” 

With right hand raised Leon repeated as best 
he* could the words the officer spoke. When all 
that was over, he affixed his signature to the paper 
and became a regularly enlisted soldier in the 
great army of the French Republic. 

He seemed to feel about the same as before, 
though. The change he had just undergone had 
not seemed to affect him very much, except per- 
haps he felt a little older and more serious than 
he had a few days before. 

The officer gave some directions to J acques who 
led Leon out of the tent. The young Frenchman 
was overjoyed that his friend had enlisted and he 
could not conceal his delight. 

“It is as I wished!” he cried joyously. “You 


142 THE AIR SCOUT 

are to be attached to the aviation corps and are 
to be my scout.’ ’ 

“ Isn’t that lucky !” exclaimed Leon. “When 
do you suppose we will be sent out?” 

“I cannot tell,” said Jacques, smiling at his 
friend’s enthusiasm. “Just now you are to come 
with me and be fitted for a uniform.” 

They soon arrived at the quartermaster’s de- 
partment and Leon was speedily supplied with a 
uniform. He was only a private but he felt very 
proud as they walked back through the camp to 
Jacques’ quarters. 

The aviation corps was not held under the same 
discipline as the rest of the troops and enjoyed 
more freedom. At the same time, when they were 
called upon for duty, as much or more was ex- 
pected of them than of the others. 

For several days they remained idle in the 
camp. Reports kept reaching them of the prog- 
ress of the war in Belgium; of the bravery and 
success of the Belgian troops; of their stubborn 
resistance against superior numbers, but rumors 
persisted that in spite of everything the Germans 
were pressing steadily forward. 


A SOLDIER OP FRANCE 


143 


More French troops joined their encampment 
from day to day. The impression was rife 
among the soldiers that they were to go to the 
aid of the Belgians and many wondered and 
chafed at the delay. 

“I don’t understand it,” exclaimed Leon one 
day to Jacques. “Why are we held here doing 
nothing, when the Belgian troops need every man 
they can get hold of to help them?” 

“The reason is this,” explained Jacques. “I 
happen to know and will tell you, though you must 
guard the secret very carefully. The plan of the 
French commanders is to mass our armies along 
the border line and await the attack of the Ger- 
mans. If you were to proceed either East or 
West or South from here you would find many en- 
campments of our troops similar to this one. The 
scheme is for the Belgians to delay and harass 
the Kaiser’s army as long as possible so that our 
troops may have an opportunity to mobilize. 
Every additional day we are able to gain in this 
way is of assistance to us. English troops are ex- 
pected at any time now and perhaps they have 
already arrived.” 


144 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“So that is the scheme, is it?” said Leon. 

“As I understand it, it is.” 

“It seems pretty hard for the Belgians.” 

“It does indeed, but when there is war it is not 
easy for anyone. Everyone has his work to do 
and must do it without a question. What may be 
so difficult for a part is only a means of making 
the final result more favorable for the majority. 
Just now Belgium has the hard task.” 

“Why aren’t we ordered out?” demanded 
Leon. “It seems to me we ought to be locating 
the positions of the enemy now, so we can plan 
better how to meet them when they come.” 

“Do not worry,” said Jacques. “We will be 
sent out soon enough and then you will have all 
you want to do.” 

“I suppose that’s true, but I am getting impa- 
tient, just sitting around here. ’ ’ 

“Aren’t you learning a great deal?” 

“Yes, indeed, and I guess it’s all good training 
for me. When the time comes to strike I shall 
know better how to act.” 

“Did you write those letters as I suggested?” 


A SOLDIER OF FRANCE 


145 


“Yes,” said Leon, “I did and they are posted 
and safely on their way now, I hope.” 

“Yon are glad you wrote them, too, I think.” 

“Yes, I am. My uncle in Paris will be de- 
lighted when he hears I have enlisted, and he will 
be awfully proud of me. I also wrote and told 
my family in America all about it. They will 
probably worry about me, but I guess they ’ll think 
the war won’t last very long, and they’ll expect 
to see me home all right.” 

“You told them you were in the aviation 
corps?” 

“Yes, and I think that will make them feel bet- 
ter about it. I said I was an air scout and they 
know that aeroplanes are pretty safe to ride in 
now. High up in the air they know there is not 
the danger from bullets that there is on the 
ground and they will feel better about it on that 
account. I’m sure my father will understand my 
enlisting; he was young himself once and will 
know my feelings.” 

“I’m very glad you informed them,” said 
Jacques seriously. “We all owe to our families 


146 


THE AIR SCOUT 


more than we can ever repay and we onglit to be 
very considerate of them.” 

The two young men were strolling leisurely 
through the camp, watching the soldiers and oc- 
casionally exchanging a word or two with some 
acquaintance. 

Abruptly at that moment a change seemed to 
come over the whole place. An orderly on horse- 
back galloped past them at full speed, shouting 
something in a hoarse voice. Immediately all 
was bustle and hurry ; men ran hither and thither 
and the encampment looked like a great flock of 
birds that were becoming restless preparatory to 
taking flight. 

“Come,” said Jacques, “the army is about to 
move and we shall be needed.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 


A SERIOUS MISHAP 

T HE troops were packing up and forming 
in line, ready to march. In spite of the 
vast numbers of men hurrying in all di- 
rections, there was no confusion ; every man 
seemed to know exactly what was required of him 
and he went about his work in a calm and busi- 
ness-like manner. Bugles sounded, summoning 
the soldiers to their positions, and in an incred- 
ibly short space of time the army was ready to 
move. 

Leon and Jacques made all haste to report to 
their commanding officer and were at once ordered 
to be ready for duty. They hurried off to equip 
themselves for their task. 

On their way they passed several batteries of 
artillery being brought up. In some cases the 
huge guns required ten horses to draw them and 
Leon could not help shuddering as he thought of 
147 


148 THE AIR SCOUT 

the destruction that would be dealt out by these 
engines of death. 

“ We’re off at last,” exclaimed Jacques, “and 
now you will have all the action you want, I 
guess.” 

“I am glad of it, though,” Leon replied. “Do 
you know where the troops are bound ? ’ ’ 

“No one knows that, but the commanders. We 
obey orders and ask no questions. You and I will 
undoubtedly be sent out ahead to look for Ger- 
mans. We’ll know soon anyway.” 

When they arrived at their headquarters they 
found their aeroplane wheeled out onto the field 
and in readiness for the start. There were sev- 
eral other machines there too, the drivers and me- 
chanics busied in touching up the engines and 
making certain that every detail was in order. 

The two young aviators reported at once to 
their commander and received their orders. 
They were to proceed in a northeasterly direc- 
tion from the camp, keeping a sharp lookout for 
the enemies’ location and were to report every- 
thing they saw back to their own army. 


A SERIOUS MISHAP 


149 


A map had been given Leon some days before. 
He bad studied every detail of it most carefully 
until be was thoroughly familiar with all the coun- 
try over which they would have to scout. It was 
his duty to indicate on this map exactly where 
the Germans were stationed, and to mark the 
roads over which they were traveling and the di- 
rection they were taking. 

The division to which Jacques and Leon were 
attached was stationed not far from the town of 
Charleroi. They were to reconnoiter in the di- 
rection of Namur along the valley of the Meuse. 
Word had come to them that a large German 
army was advancing along that course. 

“We are ready/ ’ announced Jacques. 

They took their seats in the big monoplane and 
prepared to start. Each was armed with a re- 
peating rifle and many rounds of ammunition; 
these were stowed away in the car of the aero- 
plane within quick reach, and then the word was 
given to proceed. 

The motor started with a series of loud reports 
and then as it quieted down, Jacques turned on 


150 


THE AIR SCOUT 


the power. They sped rapidly over the ground 
for a short distance and then rose steadily and 
gracefully. 

4 'Are the troops moving yet?” inquired 
Jacques. 

"They are beginning,” replied Leon, looking 
back at their army. "They seem to be following 
the direction we are taking and from here they 
look like a great army of ants just coming out of 
their hill.” 

"It is impossible to tell as yet where they are 
going,” said Jacques. "They may start in this 
way and then turn abruptly at right angles in 
either direction.” 

"But where are we to report when we come 
back?” 

"At a spot near a town called Marchienne, 
which is to the west of Charleroi.” 

‘ ‘ That looks as if the army was moving in that 
direction, doesn’t it?” 

" Yes,” replied Jacques. "It is evidently for 
the purpose of carrying out some maneuver about 
which we know nothing. Few armies as a rule 
know where they are going.” 


A SERIOUS MISHAP 


151 


“I suppose that’s so,” said Leon and he fell 
silent, intently studying his map. 

A moment later he raised his eyes to look about 
him in an endeavor to locate a certain spot. 

“Aren’t we flying very low?” he exclaimed. 

“Yes, but I think it the best plan for a while. 
I do not think we can be seen from such a dis- 
tance when we are low, and until we are farther 
away from our lines I think it best to keep as 
much out of sight as possible.” 

“Perhaps you are right,” said Leon, “but it 
seems to me rather dangerous.” 

“It is dangerous, I grant, but we must take that 
chance. ’ ’ 

“Just suppose,” said Leon, pointing to a patch 
of woods ahead, which they were rapidly ap- 
proaching, “that on the other side of those trees 
there is an encampment of Germans. We are 
flying low and they can hear us coming and be 
ready for us.” 

“I will rise & little higher,” said Jacques. 

He tilted V e elevating plane and they began to 
mount up 'apidly. They were immediately over 
*he c-reos now and Leon was intently peering 


152 


THE AIR SCOUT 


down, anxious lest his feeling that the Germans 
were nearby should be right. 

“ There they are!” he exclaimed as they came 
within sight of the field on the opposite side of 
the woods. “There’s quite a large detachment 
there, too.” 

It was evident that the aeroplane had been dis- 
covered. Leon could see the men rushing about 
below and pointing excitedly at the flier. 

“We’re going higher every second,” an- 
nounced Jacques. “I don’t know what more we 
can do.” 

“There is nothing,” exclaimed Leon. 

“They are firing at us,” he added quickly a lit- 
tle later, as a flash and a puff of smoke appeared 
below. 

He hardly had the words out of his mouth when 
a shell exploded about three hundred feet below 
them. They could only hear the report indis- 
tinctly on account of the noise made by their en- 
gine. The flash could be plainly seen, however, 
and the concussion was felt strongly. The mono- 
plane rocked dangerously and dropped like a shot 
for several feet. The effect was as if a hole had 


A SERIOUS MISHAP 


153 


been shot right in the air and had left nothing to 
support the machine. 

It was an anxious moment for the two young 
aviators. Jacques, however, showed the quality 
of his nerve; he did not lose his head for an in- 
stant and almost immediately had his machine 
again under control. One lapse at a time like 
that might have been fatal. 

“They’re firing more!” exclaimed Leon, who 
had not once relaxed his gaze upon the Germans. 
“That first one was close; but their aim is bad 
now, and I guess we’re safely out of range by 
this time.” 

“It was foolish for me to fly so low,” said 
Jacques. “It was lucky I took your advice or 
we should not be here now, perhaps.” 

“That was pretty close, all right,” laughed 
Leon excitedly. “I didn’t mind it so much 
though. I feel quite safe up here, and so far I 
like this game of war.” 

“Yes, so far it has gone well for us,” agreed 
Jacques, “but of course anything may — ” 

He suddenly stopped speaking. 

“What is the matter?” exclaimed Leon. 


154 


THE AIR SCOUT 


His companion did not answer for some sec- 
onds, but appeared to be listening very intently 
to some noise. An expression of anxiety came 
over his face. 

“We shall have to land,” he announced at last. 

“Why so?” 

“One of the piston valves is loose in the en- 
gine and must be fixed at once.’’ 

“But is it safe to land!” protested Leon. 

“I do not know. It is not safe to stay in the 
air any longer, though, and we must risk it.” 

“What caused the trouble, do you think!” 

“I have no idea. Perhaps it was the force 
of that bomb that exploded beneath us. ’ ’ 

He shut off the engine and started to volplane 
down towards an open field appearing ahead of 
them. They could not tell whether or not any 
of the enemy were near by but it was imperative 
for them to descend. Leon knew that Jacques 
would not do a thing like this unless it was abso- 
lutely necessary. 

“We may be going to certain capture,” said 
Jacques. “I hope not, however.” 

“I see no signs of anyone about,” said Leon, 


A SERIOUS MISHAP 


155 


keeping a sharp lookout as they came closer and 
closer to the field. 

A moment later they landed and when the aero- 
plane came to a full stop they both sprang quickly 
out upon the ground. 

“You keep a sharp watch,’ ’ suggested Jacques. 
“I will fix the engine and it won’t take me two 
minutes. ’ ’ 

Leon walked slowly around, keeping his eyes 
open in all directions for any possible signs of 
Germans. 

“It will take me longer than I thought,” ex- 
claimed Jacques irritably. “We may be here fif- 
teen minutes.” 

“We can’t be,” cried Leon excitedly. “Here 
comes a squad of Uhlans on the full gallop down 
the road now. They see us too. Can’t we start 
at once!” 

“Impossible.” 

“Shall we surrender!” 

“Not at all. Leave the machine here and run 
for your life. There is no use in our being cap- 
tured. Come along!” 


CHAPTER XIX 


A NARROW ESCAPE 

L EON required no second bidding, as in- 
stantly he started to run at full speed. 
Jacques was off ahead of him and they 
ran in the opposite direction from that in which 
the Uhlans were approaching. This was their 
first impulse and beyond this they had no plans. 
“Run for those woods !” cried Leon. 

Jacques made no reply but that place was the 
one for which he also was racing. They gained the 
cover of the trees a moment later and before en- 
tering, Leon cast one glance behind him. The 
Uhlans were approaching at top speed across the 
field, waving their long lances and shouting 
hoarsely. 

The two young aviators crashed their way in 
breathless haste through the bushes that impeded 
their progress. Deeper and deeper into the 
woods they went; the underbrush was very thick 
156 


A NARROW ESCAPE 


157 


and kept tangling and tripping up the feet of both 
the young men. They kept doggedly on, how- 
ever, in fact it was a question of keeping on or 
being captured and there was no choice offered 
them. 

Suddenly they came face to face with a high 
wire fence. It was at least eight feet high and 
the spaces between the wires were little openings 
about six inches square. 

Out of breath and gasping they started to 
climb over this obstruction for it was impossible 
to go through it. Behind them they could hear 
the Uhlans entering the woods ; their horses made 
a great commotion and noise as they plowed 
through the bushes. 

As the two boys reached the top of the fence 
a loud shout greeted them. 

4 ‘They see us!” gasped Jacques. 

“It can’t be helped. Their horses can’t climb 
this fence anyway. We must hurry.” 

As he spoke the sharp report of a rifle was 
heard behind them. A bullet whirred past their 
ears and with a thud imbedded itself in a tree 
near by. 


158 


THE AIK SCOUT 


Leon at the top of the fence lost his hold at this 
exciting moment and half fell, half slid down to 
the ground on the other side. 

“Are you hurt?” cried Jacques, anxiously 
bending over his friend. 

“Not a bit,” exclaimed Leon, springing to his 
feet. “Come along!” 

“Bend over as you run,” cautioned Jacques. 
“That will make it harder for them to see us.” 

Their breathing came hard and in short gasps 
as they sped on. Their legs seemed to weigh 
more than they could carry, and only the knowl- 
edge of what ^capture meant kept them going. 

An angry shput from behind them indicated 
that their pursuers had come up to the wire 
fence. 

“The horses can’t jump that fence,” panted 
Leon. “They’ll have to follow us on foot now.” 

“They’ll do that all right. Hurry, for now is 
our chance to gain on them!” 

It did not seem as if their tortured lungs and 
aching legs could endure any more effort, but it 
is surprising what can be accomplished when the 
necessity arises, and on sped the two boys. 


A NARROW ESCAPE 


159 


( 1 Shall we go into that house f” panted Leon, 
as they came to an opening in the woods where 
a deserted dwelling stood. 

4 4 No, let’s turn at right angles here and keep 
right in the woods. We may throw them off that 
way . 9 9 

The two young soldiers hurried on, but it was 
evident that the limit of human endurance had 
been nearly reached by them. They had almost 
come to the limit of their strength. 

Suddenly they came out of the woods. In 
front of them was a large barn, and near by a 
house. The rear of the barn faced them and this 
door was open. 

4 4 Let’s go in there!” gasped Leon. 44 I can’t 
go a step farther. If I try to I shall drop.” 

4 4 Come quickly, then!” urged Jacques. 

They darted through the open door and found 
themselves in a large barn. A few chickens scat- 
tered in fright as they burst in upon them and a 
horse somewhere near whinnied. There was no 
sign of any people about, however. 

4 4 Where shall we hide?” exclaimed Jacques. 

Leon glanced quickly around him. 


160 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“In the haymow,” he panted. “There is a 
ladder. ’ 9 

They rapidly ascended and making their way 
over into a dimly lighted corner they lay down 
and quickly spread hay all over themselves. 
They used great armfuls for this purpose, for 
they did not wish to run any risk of any part of 
their bodies being exposed. 

The hay was full of dust which made its way 
into the boys’ eyes and noses and mouths. It was 
difficult for them to breathe, but the only thing 
for them to do was to make the best of their situa- 
tion. 

It seemed hours to them that they had laii^ 
there, when suddenly they heard voices below. 
They were loud and angry and evidently 'be- 
longed to several different people. Leon lay still, 
scarcely daring to breathe lest his hiding-place 
should be discovered. He decided from the tone 
of the voices below that the Uhlans were ques- 
tioning someone, probably the owner of the 
barn. 

He could hear different voices speaking 
harshly, and then the same one would usually re- 


A NARROW ESCAPE 


161 


ply. It was evidently the owner trying to prove 
his ignorance of any fugitives being on or hav- 
ing passed over his premises. 

All at once Leon heard someone mounting the 
ladder and his heart seemed almost to stop heat- 
ing. Someone was walking all about the haymow, 
evidently looking for the two young aviators. 
Nearer and nearer came the footsteps. Leon 
could feel the hostile presence near him and he 
trembled lest the searcher should step on him or 
upon his comrade and thus discover their hiding- 
place. 

The footsteps stopped when it seemed to Leon 
that the Uhlan must be standing directly over him. 
He wondered if their presence had been detected 
and if the German was tantalizing them. Then 
he heard an exclamation of disgust and the sound 
of the footsteps retreating. Could it be possible 
that they had not been discovered? It seemed 
much too good to be true. 

A moment later he heard the man descending 
the ladder and the sound of voices once more came 
from below. A consultation was being held evi- 
dently, and in a short time he heard the voices 


162 


THE AIR SCOUT 


dying away in the distance. Everything in the 
barn remained quiet. 

Still, neither Leon nor Jacques dared to stir. 
Suppose the Uhlans should set fire to the barn as 
he had seen them do but a few days before, 
thought Leon. He knew they were capable of 
such practices and the idea of it caused him in- 
tense anxiety. 

For an almost endless time it seemed to him he 
lay still. He was cramped and stiff, but still he 
dared not move. He had heard no sounds below 
or outside the barn for a long time ; but there was 
no way of finding out that the Uhlans had de- 
parted. 

“Leon !” 

4 4 Sit up, I want to talk with you. ’ ’ 

It was J acques speaking to him. 

“What is it?” whispered Leon. 

Carefully and as quietly as he was able, Leon 
removed the hay from his face and sat erect. 
When his eyes became accustomed to the dim light 
he saw Jacques sitting beside him. 

4 4 They’ve left, I think,” said Jacques. 

4 4 Yes, but we can’t leave yet,” protested Leon. 


A NARROW ESCAPE 


163 


“Oh, no! I don’t believe it would be safe to 
try to get away before night comes.” 

They spoke in low whispers, still fearful that 
some of their pursuers might yet be lurking about. 

6 ‘ I think we ’d best wait till dark, ’ ’ Leon agreed. 

“We will sit here until all is dark and then we 
will steal out. That is our only course, and I fear 
our chances of reaching the French lines are slim 
under any circumstances. ’ 9 

‘ ‘ The French lines ! 9 9 exclaimed Leon. 1 4 Aren ’t 
we going back after our aeroplane ? 9 9 

“Don’t you know they will have a guard over 
that? What chance would we stand of taking 
it?” 

“You are right,” said Leon thoughtfully. “Of 
course they will have it well guarded, and as you 
say the best thing for us to do is make a break 
for our army.” 

“Yes, that is our only course.” 

All through the long afternoon they sat quietly 
under the eaves of the old barn. No one came in 
and it appeared as if thus far at least, they had 
outwitted their pursuers. It was tiresome work 
sitting still as they were forced to do, however. 


164 


THE AIR SCOUT 


They had decided to travel all night, if possible, 
and then hide away during the day again. Pos- 
sibly, Jacques thought, they might reach the 
French lines in one night, but it was hardly prob- 
able. He was familiar with the road though, he 
said. 

They took turns sleeping. A hard night was 
ahead of them and they decided they would need 
all the strength they could muster. First, Jacques 
slept and Leon kept guard ; then Leon slept, while 
Jacques played sentry. When the one on guard 
decided that his companion had slept an hour he 
awoke him and took his turn. 

Leon was sleeping for the second time when 
Jacques shook him quietly and awakened him. 

“Leon,” he urged, “it is time to start.” 

Leon was wide awake at once, and carefully 
they crept over the haymow towards the ladder. 
Reaching this they descended swiftly and quietly, 
and a moment later had started out into the night 
on their perilous journey. 


CHAPTER XX 


THE FIELD OF WHEAT 

“/^■^TAY close to me,” whispered Jacques, 
“and don’t make any more noise than 
you can help.” 

There was a light to be seen in the house as 
they emerged from the barn. Whether friend or 
foe dwelt there they could not say; probably it 
was a friend but this was not the time to find out. 

“This way,” said Jacques. 

They entered the woods again and kept close to 
their edge as far as it extended. This was for 
only a short distance, however, and soon they 
found themselves on the open highway. 

“Is it safe to walk in the road?” asked Leon 
doubtfully. 

“We can travel much faster here,” replied 
Jacques, “and I think it is worth the chance. If 
we keep a lookout both in front and behind us 
we should be able to see anyone coming in time to 
hide.” 


165 


166 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“All right, then,” agreed Leon. “You say you 
know the way.” 

“I think I do.” 

They kept on in silence for a considerable dis- 
tance. The night was clear and starlit, while a 
new moon had made its appearance so that there 
was light enough to enable the young aviators to 
pick their way readily. It was a strain on them, 
however, for they were compelled to be constantly 
on the alert for possible enemies. Every sense of 
sight and hearing was strained to its utmost. 

There was an excitement and exhilaration about 
their travel, though, and Leon was enjoying him- 
self. The feeling that at any moment they might 
be forced to hide or to run for their lives added 
just enough spice to their adventure to make it ap- 
peal to him. 

They walked side by side, stopping every few 
minutes to listen and to look behind them. 

“You don’t think there is any danger from the 
side of the road, do you f ’ ’ inquired Leon. 

‘ ‘ I think not. We are not apt to be ambushed . 9 7 

“That stretch back there with woods on both 
sides of us was what made me think of it.” 


THE FIELD OF WHEAT 


167 


“It strikes me,” said Jacques, “that houses and 
open fields are the most dangerous places. Large 
forces are apt to be encamped in the fields, while 
squads of Uhlans may be staying over night at the 
farmhouses. They are sure to have sentries 
posted, too.” 

“What’s that?” exclaimed Leon suddenly. 

Grasping his comrade by the arm he drew him 
to the side of the road, and pointed skyward. 

Jacques looked in the direction Leon pointed. 

“It’s a Zeppelin,” he announced. 

A great dark shape, clearly outlined against 
the sky, was rapidly approaching. It did not ap- 
pear to be very high above the ground and there 
were no lights visible. It moved very rapidly, at 
least fifty or sixty miles an hour, and soon had 
passed over their heads and disappeared into the 
night. 

“Whew!” exclaimed Leon. “Where do you 
suppose that was bound?” 

“I’ve no idea. Perhaps to our lines.” 

“To drop bombs, I suppose.” 

“No doubt. That is what they are used for, 
principally. That was a big one, wasn’t it?” 


168 


THE AIR SCOUT 


‘ ‘ It certainly was, ’ 9 Leon agreed. 1 ‘ How many 
men does one like that carry in her crew?” 

‘ 1 1 cannot say. At least fifteen, I should 
think . 9 9 

6 ‘ How do they aim the bombs ? 9 9 

1 1 In the daytime the Zeppelin mounts very high 
into the air. Then they lower a steel box with a 
man in it and he throws the bombs . 9 9 

“How far do they let the box down?” inquired 
Leon. 

“About two thousand feet, I believe.” 

“Two thousand feet below the Zeppelin? It 
seems impossible . 9 9 

‘ ‘ The idea is then that it will be very hard to hit 
it. The Zeppelin itself is so high it is a very small 
target and the man in the box suspended by the 
cable swings back and forth all the time. It is 
almost out of the question to hit him.” 

The boys were so interested in discussing the 
powers of a Zeppelin that they had become some- 
what careless about their own safety. They 
steadily trudged along, almost forgetting that 
they were probably among the enemy and liable 
to be attacked at any moment. 


THE FIELD OF WHEAT 169 

Something happened just then that brought 
them quickly to their senses, however. 

A man suddenly appeared in the road not more 
than fifty yards in advance of them. His figure 
was clearly outlined against the sky and at the 
same instant the two boys recognized his German 
helmet and saw a gun resting over his shoulder. 

‘ ‘ Quick !” whispered Jacques as he made a dive 
for the side of the road. Leon was only a step 
behind him and they crouched low, peering out at 
the soldier. 

He had evidently seen them, however, for he ut- 
tered a shout and started to run down the road in 
their direction. 

“Run for it!” exclaimed Jacques and pell-mell 
the two boys started across the field. They 
heard an exclamation in German behind them, evi- 
dently a command to halt, but they paid no at- 
tention to it. 

The next moment they heard the whistle of a 
bullet as it passed over their heads. This was 
only the signal for them to increase their speed, 
however, and on they continued in their headlong 
flight. 


170 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Another bullet shrieked past their ears, but they 
did not stop until they reached the cover of a 
wheat field. The wheat had been gathered into 
shocks and behind one of these they dodged. 
They peered intently back over the field they had 
just crossed but they saw no signs of anyone ap- 
proaching. 

‘ ‘ Stay here until we get our wind back,” panted 
Jacques. “Then we will have to try it again.” 

‘ ‘ I never noticed that man, did you f ’ ’ whispered 
Leon. 

“No, I didn’t. We were too busy talking of 
Zeppelins. ’ ’ 

“Well, it doesn’t pay to get careless, does it?” 

“By all means, no. We must never let such a 
thing occur again. ’ ’ 

“Are you ready to go on?” inquired Leon. 

“All ready.” 

They kept in the wheat field until at last they 
came to its border and before they reached the 
other side they experienced many a thrill. In the 
dim light it almost seemed as if half of the shocks 
were men, and more than once they thought them- 


THE FIELD OP WHEAT 171 

selves captured. They emerged far from the 
road and took good care to remain far away. 

“We’ll make a detour here,” said Jacques. 

“Yes,” agreed Leon. “We must have run 
right into a camp back there.” 

“Our friend was probably the sentry,” chuckled 
Jacques. “Perhaps they think a force is coming 
to attack them. I trust that we gave them some- 
thing to think about, anyway.” 

“They’ve given us something to think about, all 
right! I wouldn’t be surprised if we were right 
in the thick of them.” 

“We are,” exclaimed Jacques. “Look ahead 
there!” 

Both the hoys stopped still and strained their 
eyes to see ahead of them. 

“What is it?” asked Leon. “I don’t see any- 
thing. ’ ’ 

“It’s a camp. Can’t you make it out?” 

‘ ‘ I can now, ’ ’ said Leon a moment later. ‘ ‘ How 
are we going to escape it ? ” 

“By going around it.” 

“There is no cover here. We shall be seen.” 


172 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ We’ll have to crawl, then.” 

Dropping on all fours the two young fugitives 
began their arduous task of trying to go around 
the camp. Their progress was slow and difficult ; 
their clothes were soon torn by the rough ground 
and it was not long before their knees and hands 
were cut and bleeding. 

Every few feet they stopped and looked about 
for sentries or outposts. Once they saw a picket 
approaching and they lay flat on their faces until 
he had passed. He was not over seventy-five feet 
from them and it was an anxious moment for the 
two boys until he was gone. 

For more than an hour they crawled on in this * 
manner. At the end of that time they reached the 
cover of some trees on the opposite side of the 
camp and rising to their feet they ran and lay 
down under one of them, well-nigh exhausted. 

After a few short moments of rest they once 
more proceeded on their way. They came back 
to the road again and this time they did not relax 
their vigilance even for an instant. They slowly 
advanced without mishap, however, and, just as 


THE FIELD OF WHEAT 


173 


dawn was creeping up over the horizon, they came 
within sight of a city. 

4 4 What is that place?” inquired Leon. 

Jacques studied it intently for a short time. 

1 6 It’s Marchienne,” he announced. “We are 
back safely at last.” 


CHAPTER XXI 


A PERILOUS EXPEDITION 

T HEY soon passed the outposts and sen- 
tries and in a short time were safely hack 
among their own troops. 

“We must report first of all, ’ ’ said Jacques, 
and they hastened to present themselves before 
their commanding officer. 

Jacques related their experiences and they 
were complimented on their action. The officer 
agreed that under the circumstances they had no 
choice but to abandon the machine. 

He advised them to get some sleep before they 
did anything else, and the young aviators were 
not slow to take advantage of this suggestion. A 
few moments later they were rolled in their blank- 
ets, enjoying a well-earned rest. 

It was afternoon when they awoke. 

“Let us find some food now,” suggested 
Jacques. 

“That’s what I want,” exclaimed Leon heart- 
174 


A PERILOUS EXPEDITION 175 

ily. “I feel so hungry I think I could eat shoe 
leather.” 

“I hope that will not he necessary, however,” 
laughed Jacques. “Come along and we’ll soon 
find out.” 

They made their way to one of the numerous 
cook wagons and succeeded in getting a cup of 
coffee and also a huge ham sandwich for each. 

“This is easily the finest meal I have ever 
eaten,” announced Leon, munching away with 
evident satisfaction. 

“I agree with you,” exclaimed Jacques. 
“Never have I tasted more delicious food.” 

The words were spoken half in jest and half in 
earnest. When men are fighting and engaged in 
the great business of war their appetites become 
so developed that any kind of food is welcomed. 
Oftentimes there is not enough to supply every- 
body’s needs, and consequently that which is al- 
lotted is all the more appreciated. 

“What are we to do now?” inquired Leon when 
they had finished their meal. 

“I am going to see a friend of mine, if I am 
able to find him,” replied Jacques. 


176 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ Don’t we have to report this afternoon ?” 

“Not until evening. Will you come with me?” 

“I guess not. I think I’ll write a letter and 
get some more sleep, perhaps, if we are to have 
all the afternoon free.” 

“Very well, I shall meet you later.” 

Leon procured writing materials and an old 
box. He used the box for a desk and sat down to 
write a letter to his brother Earl. He had not 
yet informed his brother that he had enlisted and 
he felt he ought to do so. Earl of course would 
not know anything about it, and though there was 
but slight chance of the letter ever reaching its 
destination, he wanted at least to start one on its 
way. 

He thought of his twin brother as being in Eng- 
land and out of the way of harm. Earl was proba- 
bly worrying about him, though, he was sure, and 
he wondered if he would make any attempt to find 
him. Leon smiled as he thought of his brother’s 
surprise when he should hear of his enlistment. 
He knew Earl would be a little envious of him, and 
perhaps when he received this letter he might try 
to cross the English Channel and enlist himself. 


A PERILOUS EXPEDITION 


177 


He worked busily for some time and bad just 
completed liis letter, when be saw Jacques ap- 
proaching, running swiftly as be came. Leon 
could see too that bis comrade was greatly ex- 
cited over something. 

* ‘ What is it?” he exclaimed as Jacques came up. 

“I have news for you!” panted Jacques out of 
breath from bis running. 

6 ‘ Well?” said Leon, as the young Frenchman 
still hesitated. 

“One of our airmen has just come in, a man 
named Jules Foutrelle. He covered the same 
ground we did yesterday. On his way back he 
says he saw our aeroplane standing in the field just 
where we left it. Now my plan is to go out and 
bring it in . 9 9 

“How are you going to do it?” 

“In one of the armored automobiles.” 

“But,” protested Leon, “there is that big en- 
campment of German troops between us and the 
place where we left our car. ’ 9 

“Not now. Foutrelle reports that they have 
left; he saw them marching westward.” 

“And no one is with the aeroplane, at all?” 


178 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Yes,” said Jacques, "there were about a 
dozen Uhlans there, he said. They are probably 
guarding it until some one of their aviators comes 
along to take it away. If we can reach there be- 
fore that happens, we shall have a good chance of 
having our monoplane back again.’ ’ 

"All right. I’m ready to start whenever you 
are.” 

"Right away!” exclaimed Jacques. "There 
will be six of us, including the chauffeur, and we 
will start at once. ’ ’ 

On the way Leon posted his letter in the camp 
post office, fervently hoping that it might reach its 
destination safely. 

"Here we are,” cried Jacques as they saw the 
great automobile waiting for them. 

Mounted on the back was a quick-firing gun with 
its two operators. There was a driver, and a sol- 
dier seated beside him armed with a repeating 
rifle. Leon and J acques were equipped in a simi- 
lar manner and at once took their places in the car. 

The automobile was started at once and the 
few men standing nearby and who knew the ob- 
ject of their mission, gave them a cheer as they 


A PERILOUS EXPEDITION 179 

rolled out of the camp on their perilous jour- 
ney. 

It was a desperate undertaking in which they 
were engaged and every man realized it to its 
fullest extent. They were all soldiers who had 
volunteered for the expedition. No one was 
forced to go, but many had offered themselves. 
As a consequence, they were all eager to start. 

Jacques gave directions to the driver as to the 
roads they should follow and they were soon 
speeding along at a rate of fifty miles an hour. 

1 ‘ There is where the German camp was,” ex- 
claimed Leon as they passed an open field. 

“ Yes, and my knees are still sore,” said Jacques 
ruefully. “I never want to crawl as far as that 
again. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ There is the wheat field, too,” announced Leon 
a moment later. “How many imaginary Ger- 
mans do you suppose we saw there last night?” 

“At least a thousand, I should say,” replied 
the young Frenchman, smiling grimly. “I hope 
we don’t see as many as that when we come to our 
aeroplane.” 

They lapsed into silence as they came nearer 


180 


THE AIR SCOUT 


to the end of their journey. Each boy realized 
just how desperate the undertaking was in which 
they were sharing and consequently they lost all 
their desire for conversation. 

The automobile came to a stop about a half- 
mile from the field where the aeroplane lay and 
Jacques and one of the French soldiers immedi- 
ately got out. They were to go ahead to find out 
what the conditions were and to decide on the best 
method of attacking the Uhlans. 

Guns in hand and equipped with powerful field 
glasses, they started along the road. There was 
a hill at one side of the highway which com- 
manded a view of the field from its summit. It 
was their plan to reach this and spy on the Ger- 
mans through their field glasses. Then they were 
to come back to the automobile and report. 

The car had been backed into a clump of trees 
near the road in order to keep it out of sight as 
much as possible. 

The scouts were gone for what seemed an in- 
terminably long time to those who were waiting 
in the automobile. In reality it was not more 
than thirty minutes at the most, however. It was 


A PERILOUS EXPEDITION 


181 


an anxious half-hour and a sigh of relief was 
heaved when the two men were seen returning. 

The soldiers reported to the Frenchmen while 
J acques told the news to Leon. 

“They are sitting around on the ground,’ ’ he 
exclaimed, “as if there was not the least danger 
in the world. They evidently don’t suspect a 
thing, and now is our chance. ’ ’ 

“Vitement!” cried the French chauffeur. 

“Quickly! suits me first rate,” muttered Leon 
to himself and an instant later they all had started. 

The muffler was closed to make as little noise 
as possible. The quick-firer was poised and 
ready for action; the men with rifles held their 
guns raised and in a position where they could 
be used at a moment’s notice. 

The car sped down the highway. 


CHAPTER XXII 


rjr 


A BRUSH WITH THE UHLANS 

| HERE they are!” cried Leon. 

The car came to a stop. Not a hun- 
dred yards away the great aeroplane 
could be seen resting in the field, while a short dis- 
tance from it a dozen Uhlans sat or lolled about 
on the grass in a most careless fashion. Their 
horses were hobbled and grazing nearby. 

The moment the big armored automobile hove 
in sight, however, the Germans were all in action. 
One of them uttered a warning shout and they all 
sprang to their feet. 

As they did so the quick-firer was turned loose 
upon them. A hail of bullets poured from its 
mouth and five of the Uhlans fell where they 
stood. 

The Frenchmen uttered an exultant yell and the 
automobile charged. Across the field it raced, 
directly at the Uhlans who had been completely 
taken by surprise. The rain of bullets continued 
182 


A BRUSH WITH THE UHLANS 183 


from the rapid-fire gun, while the three rifles also 
did deadly work. 

Four more Uhlans crumpled up and though a 
few shots were fired by the Germans no one in the 
automobile was touched. There were but three of 
the enemy left now and one of them turned and 
ran for the aeroplane as fast as he could go. 

It was evidently his intention to do some dam- 
age to the machine so that it would be useless to 
the French. 

Leon instantly perceived his purpose, and, tak- 
ing aim at the speeding German, he fired. The 
man stumbled, his knees sagged and he pitched 
headlong to the ground. There he lay and not 
a muscle of his body moved. Leon’s aim had been 
true. 

The two remaining Uhlans throwing away their 
guns, held up their hands in token of their sur- 
render. 

The firing ceased at once. 

The Frenchmen leaped from the automobile and 
while Leon and the chauffeur kept the Germans 
covered with their rifles the other men made them 
prisoners. Their hands were securely tied and 


184 THE AIR SCOUT 

they were placed in the car to be taken back to the 
French lines. 

4 4 Here’s a man wounded,” exclaimed Leon run- 
ning forward. 

One of the Uhlans lay groaning on the ground, 
a thin stream of blood running down his leg. 

4 4 Disarm him,” cried Jacques hastily. 4 4 Look 
out for yourself there, Leon!” 

He spoke none too soon. The Uhlan whose 
arms were still good, had an automatic revolver 
concealed under him and as Leon approached he 
drew it quickly. 

The young American waited for nothing more. 
He sprang at his adversary and with all the force 
that he could muster he kicked him. The blow 
landed on the wrist that clutched the revolver and 
the weapon was sent spinning through the air. 

4 4 That was awfully close!” exclaimed Jacques, 
44 I thought you were done for then.” 

4 4 Help me tie him up , 9 9 was the only reply Leon 
made to his comrade’s remark. He knew he had 
had a close call, but he considered the matter of 
binding up his prisoner a more important matter 
just then. 


A BRUSH WITH THE UHLANS 185 


“I guess his wrist is sore now, too,” said 
Jacques sneeringly. “See how he holds on to 
it.” 

It was true. The German seemed to have for- 
gotten about his bullet-wound, and had grasped 
his wrist with his left hand while his groans were 
louder than ever. 

The two boys quickly bound him so that he 
could do no more harm, and then carried him over 
to their automobile. Altogether they had taken 
five prisoners, two unhurt and three wounded. 
Seven of the Uhlans were dead. 

“A very good afternoon’s work, I should say,” 
exclaimed Jacques exultantly. “You did fine 
work too, Leon, my friend, and our officers shall 
hear of it.” 

“I did no more than anyone else,” protested 
Leon. 

“Oh, well, we shall not argue about it,” said 
Jacques smilingly. “You are far too modest.” 

“Come look at our aeroplane,” exclaimed Leon. 
“We can’t afford to waste much time around here 
and we ought to be starting soon.” 

Another reason why he wanted Jacques to look 


186 


THE AIR SCOUT 


at the aeroplane was to direct the conversation 
away from himself. He naturally felt proud of 
his part in the skirmish, but he was modest as 
his friend had said, and he did not like to be pub- 
licly praised. 

Jacques did as Leon suggested and was soon 
at work on the engine. The other members of 
the party were busy placing their prisoners in the 
automobile and to this work Leon also lent a hand. 
The automobile was soon ready to start back, and 
when Jacques announced that the aeroplane was 
fit for a flight it immediately “ chugged’ ’ away. 

The two young aviators waved good-by to their 
comrades and then they also prepared to de- 
part. 

‘ ‘ Some pretty good horses going to waste here , 9 9 
remarked Leon, as they took their seats in the 
monoplane. 

“I know it,” said Jacques, “but what are you 
to do about them? Certainly we can’t take them 
home with us.” 

“Not very well,” laughed Leon. “It seems a 
shame though just to go away and leave them 
like this for some more Uhlans to get.” 


A BRUSH WITH THE UHLANS 187 


4 4 Let’s hope the Belgians will discover them 
first. Are yon all ready ?” 

4 4 All ready.’ ’ 

A moment later they were on their way hack 
to camp. The aeroplane seemed none the worse 
for its night in the open and as it steadily rose it 
carried two very proud young aviators. 

4 4 If my uncle in Paris could hear about this,” 
exclaimed Leon, 4 4 he would he so proud of me 
he would probably lose his mind. ’ ’ 

4 4 That would surely be a calamity,” laughed 
Jacques. 

4 4 Well, he doesn’t like the Germans. He fought 
in the Franco-Prussian war and he has never 
forgotten what the Germans did to the French 
then. ’ 9 

4 4 He fought actively?” inquired Jacques. 

4 4 Ask him that. To hear him talk about it you ’d 
think he killed about half the Prussian army him- 
self. He fought at Sedan under Marshal Mac- 
Mahon and it almost broke his heart when the 
French surrendered.” 

4 4 Let us hope that history will not repeat itself 
in this war , 9 9 said J acques fervently. 4 4 My father 


188 THE AIR SCOUT 

also was at Sedan. When I left home a short 
time ago his last words to me were to do my best 
to avenge my country. He would be here himself 
right now, if they would take him.” 

4 ‘It is wonderful,” said Leon. “You know 
everyone in the United States thinks that the 
French are such excitable people, but I must say 
I haven’t seen it. Never have I seen such a calm 
and self-possessed lot of people as the French 
since the war broke out. I have changed my 
opinion. ’ ’ 

“It is wonderful,” Jacques agreed. 

“Look ahead there!” he abruptly exclaimed. 
“Isn’t that our automobile on its way back?” 

“It certainly is,” announced Leon after one 
quick glance. “Let’s see if we can beat them back 
to camp.” 

A race ensued in which the aeroplane had but a 
slight advantage. It made faster time than the 
automobile, but it took longer to come to a stop 
and consequently the men from the automobile 
were the first to bring the news of their exploit 
into camp. The news spread like wildfire and as 
the two young aviators stepped out of their ma» 


A BRUSH WITH THE UHLANS 189 


chine they were seized by a cheering mob and 
borne in triumph to headquarters. 

They made their report, were congratulated by 
their officers, and then tried to steal quietly away. 
No such thing, however, was possible for them. 
A crowd was waiting for theip and once more 
praise and congratulations were heaped upon 
them. In the throng Leon noticed many English 
soldiers now. The looked-for reenforcements from 
across the channel were evidently beginning to 
arrive. 

At last the two boys escaped from their ad- 
mirers and went to their own quarters. They 
were seated on the ground busily engaged in oiling 
and cleaning their rifles when a big Irish infantry- 
man approached. 

“Are youse the two boys what captured them 
Germans f” he asked, stopping in front of Leon 
and Jacques. 

“We helped,’ ’ replied Leon smilingly. 

“Who kicked that feller in the wrist?” 

‘ ‘ I did, ’ ’ said Leon. 1 ‘ Why do you ask ? ’ ’ 

“Because,” said the Irishman, “I just seen 
him an£ his arm was broke by the force of it. I 


190 


THE AIR SCOUT 


made a remark to one of me friends that whoever 
done it must have been part mule or he nivver 
could have kicked so hard.” 

“I hope I have no mule blood in me,” laughed 
Leon. i i 1 never knew it before anyway . 9 ’ 

“That’s all right, me boy,” said the Irishman 
warmly. “Ye done foine worrk and I hope yez 
keep it up.” 


CHAPTER XXIII 


ONE BOMB TOO MANY 

i ‘ M "m EPORTS are coming in,” said Jacques 
the next morning, “that enormous 
bodies of Germans are advancing this 

way. ’ 9 

“Through Belgium, do you mean?” remarked 
Leon. 

“Yes. One of our aviators just came in and re- 
ported that the whole country north of here is 
swarming with them.” 

“How far did he go?” 

“As far as Brussels. They have captured both 
Louvain and Brussels. It is estimated that over 
two hundred thousand German troops passed 
through Brussels in the last twenty-four hours.” 
“Headed this way?” exclaimed Leon. 

“We believe so. They are evidently going to 
try to make a desperate rush into France over our 
northern border somewhere.” 


191 


192 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Are we to oppose them here?” 

“I can’t say,” replied Jacques, “but I doubt 
it. I have a feeling that we will withdraw to the 
neighborhood of Mons which is on the border.” 

“How about Liege? Has that fallen yet?” 

“It is hard to find out definitely, but I heard a 
rumor that some of the forts were still holding 
out. ’ ’ 

“What a splendid defense they have made.” 

“Indeed, they have,” exclaimed Jacques. 
“The Kaiser certainly was fooled when he thought 
he was going to march straight across Belgium 
and reach France in about two days. Did you 
hear how the Germans finally put some of the 
Liege forts out of commission?” 

“No, I haven’t heard a thing about it.” 

“Well,” continued Jacques, “I heard that the 
guns they brought into Belgium at first could 
make no impression on the Liege forts at all. 
The Germans then sent back home to the Krupp 
factories and got a new type of gun that has just 
been perfected. ’ ’ 

“How big a gun?” 

“Thirteen and a half inches; just think of that. 


ONE BOMB TOO MANY 


193 


It took over thirty horses to haul it. The Germans 
set it down four miles from one of the forts and 
the first shell they fired killed one hundred and 
twenty-five men.” 

“Is that really so?” exclaimed Leon. 

“I can’t swear that it is true, hut that is the re- 
port I heard. It shows the Germans are begin- 
ning to realize what they are up against when they 
send home for such guns.” 

“It’s awful, the destruction one of those big 
guns can do, isn ’t it ? When do we report again ? ’ ’ 

“At half past nine. It’s a few minutes after 
nine now, so we’d better be starting.” 

When they came to the aviation field they were 
ordered to start out at once. The Allies’ com- 
manders were considerably worried over the rapid 
German advance and they were anxious to find 
out all they could at once. 

On this trip Leon and Jacques took with them 
some bombs. It was considered a good thing to 
worry and harass the enemy as much as possible, 
as well as to search out their positions. Cer- 
tainly a bomb was a splendid means of accom- 
plishing this purpose. 


194 


THE AIR SCOUT 


They were soon under way, flying rapidly north- 
ward. The bombs were safely stowed away in the 
car of the aeroplane and Leon kept a sharp watch 
for German troops. He was anxious to try his 
skill at dropping bombs. 

“I haven’t seen a sign of any troops yet,” he 
exclaimed after they had covered about twenty 
miles. 

“Nor I,” said Jacques. “Wait a few moments 
though and I think we’ll see some.” 

“You’re right. There they are now.” 

‘ ‘ In which direction ? ’ ’ 

‘ 4 On our left. Steer that way and we ’ll fly over 
them. ’ ’ 

“I’ll mount a little higher,” said Jacques. 
“We don’t want to be hit and we can see their po- 
sition just as well.” 

The aeroplane described a huge circle, rising 
higher and higher all the time. Finally it was 
directly above the marching army. The troops 
were strung out in a huge line below them and 
gave the appearance of an immense caterpillar 
wending its way across the country. 


ONE BOMB TOO MANY 


195 

1 i There are an awful lot of men in that divi- 
sion, ’ 9 remarked Leon in a low voice after a care- 
ful scrutiny of the men below. 

“Yes,” said his comrade, “there must he at 
least one army corps there.” 

“Whew!” exclaimed Leon. “Forty thousand 
men.” 

“Mark their position on your map.” 

Leon quickly did so. 

“Now how about letting a bomb or two drop 
on their heads,” he suggested eagerly. 

“Wait a few moments,” cautioned Jacques. 
“We must see if there are any more in the region 
around there. We’ll fly north and come around 
in a big circle ; that ought to cover all the ground. ’ ’ 

“All right. I hate to miss a chance like this, 
though.” 

“Look there,” he cried suddenly. “They are 
firing at us.” 

Little black puff s of smoke appeared in the midst 
of the masses below them. Through the glasses 
Leon could see countless guns pointed skyward in 
their direction. 


196 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ They’re pretty lucky if tliey hit us, that’s all 
I can say,” remarked Jacques. 1 ‘ We’ll keep 
right on.” 

The aeroplane was not touched, though it was 
an anxious moment for the two young aviators. 
The sensation of sitting in a flying-machine, high 
in the air and constantly wondering whether or 
not shots fired at you from below will hit you, was 
none too pleasant. 

“They missed us that time, all right,” sighed 
Leon in relief. 

“Yes, and they can’t hit us now; we’re too far 
away. It would be next to impossible for rifle 
fire to strike us at this height anyway. A can- 
non is the only thing that would do it, and by the 
time they had it aimed we would he about a mile 
away. ’ ’ 

“There are more troops coming this way,” said 
Leon. 

“Sure enough. How many are there?” 

“I can’t tell yet. Wait until we are closer.” 

“About the same number as in that last crowd, 
I should say,” he announced a moment later. 

“Ah, another army corps probably. That 


ONE BOMB TOO MANY 197 

makes two so far. I wonder how many more are 
coming. ’ * 

They increased their altitude above this division 
and as far as Leon could see there were no shots 
fired at them. Flying a few miles farther north 
they swung around to the right in a great loop 
and started back again. Two more army corps 
of German soldiers were encountered. 

“Four army corps; a hundred and sixty thou- 
sand men,” remarked Leon. “That’s quite a 
large army, I should say.” 

“Indeed, it is. Now I think we’d best go back.” 

“If you say so.” 

“Have you marked your map in all four 
places?” 

“I have and I hope we shan’t have to do it 
again.” 

“I agree with you,” said Jacques earnestly. 
“You don’t see anything of that first corps we 
passed, do you?” 

“Why, were they near here?” 

“Just about here, I think.” 

“Yes, there they are!” exclaimed Leon. “A 
little to our right.” 


198 


THE AIK SCOUT 


“ Let’s drop a couple of bombs on them and give 
them something to think about. ’ ’ 

“By all means,” cried Leon heartily. ‘ * Can’t 
we go a little lower though?” 

“It’s dangerous.” 

“I know that, but at the same time it will be 
more dangerous for our German friends down 
there, too.” 

“Suppose they hit us?” 

4 ‘ They can ’t do it. I ’m not a bit afraid . 9 1 

“I’m willing if you are,” said Jacques; and 
gradually he descended as they approached the 
Germans below them. 

“Get the bombs ready,” he cautioned as they 
came closer. “Don’t waste any if you can help 
it, either.” 

“Not on purpose,” said Leon grimly. 

The bomb was heavy but he hauled it out from 
under the seat and held it poised ready to release 
it. 

“Let it go now,” exclaimed Jacques. 

The bomb fell rapidly and as Leon peered down 
to see if his aim was good, he suddenly saw a 
burst of smoke in the very center of the German 


ONE BOMB TOO MANY 


199 


troops. A gap appeared in the ranks, the men 
ran hither and thither and evidently there was 
great confusion. 

‘ ‘Did you hit them?” queried Jacques. 

“I certainly did,” replied Leon triumphantly. 
“ Wait a minute and I’ll give ’em another.” 

Jacques described a great circle and then once 
more steered the monoplane back until it was di- 
rectly above the Germans. Leon secured another 
bomb and sent it after the first one. His aim was 
poor this time, however, and he was disgusted to 
see his missile strike in a field some distance away 
from his mark. Evidently no damage was done 
by it. 

“That was poor,” he remarked disappointedly. 
“I thought I was a good shot after that first one, 
but I’m afraid it was mostly luck.” 

‘ ‘ Are they firing at us ? ” inquired J acques. 

Leon peered down. 

“I should say they were,” he remarked. “It 
looks as if half of them were shooting at us.” 

‘ ‘ Don ’t you think we ’d better go back ? ’ ’ 

“Just one more,” Leon pleaded. “Iam sure I 
can do better this time, and we have only one left.” 


200 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“ All right,” Jacques agreed somewhat unwill- 
ingly. “This is the last one, though, for we can’t 
afford to take too many chances when we have 
such important news to report.” 

‘ ‘ One more is all we have, ’ ’ said Leon. u Go a 
little lower, Jacques ; they can’t hit us. ” 

6 ‘I’m not so sure of that. I’ll do as you say, 
though. ’ ’ 

Dangerously low they sailed. Leon was ex- 
cited now and paid but slight attention to the 
risk they were running. Taking careful aim he 
let fall the third bomb and yelled exultingly as 
he saw it burst in the very center of a mass of 
men who had halted and were firing at the aero- 
plane. 

“I did it that time,” he cried. “Now run for 
home ; every man down below there is shooting at 
us.” 

Jacques needed no encouragement. Pointing 
southward he turned on all the power, at the same 
time rising to a higher elevation. 

They had gone but a slight distance when their 
machine suddenly rocked violently. It righted 
itself a moment later however and on they sped. 


ONE BOMB TOO MANY 201 

“ We’re hit,” said Jacques calmly, “but I don’t 
know where. ’ ’ 

“I do,” replied Leon. “That left plane has 
four bullet holes in it, right in a line.” 

‘ ‘ I hope no braces are cut. ’ 9 

“So far, it seems all right enough.” 

“Yes, ‘so far.’ I am hoping our good luck will 
keep up until we get back.” 

“We certainly did fix those people, didn’t we?” 
exclaimed Leon, unable to think of anything else. 
‘ ‘ They would have given anything to have brought 
us down.” 

“I guess they would, all right,” Jacques agreed, 
and he turned to look anxiously at the four bullet 
holes. 

“What’s the matter?” said Leon. “Those lit- 
tle holes can’t do any harm!” 

“I’m not so — ” 

Before he could finish his sentence the mono- 
plane suddenly began to buck and rock like an 
unbroken horse. It darted swiftly downward, 
Leon hanging on for dear life and Jacques, white- 
lipped and determined, trying desperately to 
regain control of the plunging machine. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


A DAEING ATTEMPT 

D OWN, down, down they went for what 
seemed almost an endless time. Leon 
felt as though years were scudding by 
in the few brief seconds that followed. 

He had given up all hope, and shut his eyes to 
blot out the sight of the ground which seemed to be 
rushing up to meet them. He did not dare look 
at his friend. Neither one of them uttered a 
sound ; in fact they had no breath or time. 

Leon thought his eyes had been closed for at 
least five minutes and he was all braced for the 
expected crash. The thought flashed through his 
mind that at any rate it would all be over so 
quickly that he would not feel the collision when 
they struck. 

Suddenly the bump came, but it was not what 
Leon had expected. He pitched forward and 
barely escaped falling from his seat. He opened 
202 


A DARING ATTEMPT 


203 


his eyes in amazement to find that they were about 
a hundred feet above the ground and that Jacques 
had checked their downward fall to some extent. 
He had succeeded in pointing the machine’s nose 
up and when at last it had responded there was a 
violent jerk. 

Jacques was fighting desperately. The plane 
through which the bullets had gone had partly 
buckled up, and was the cause of their trouble. 
Jacques had shut off the engine and though he 
had somewhat checked their fall, he could do noth- 
ing further. 

They were still traveling at a rapid pace, and 
continually falling lower and lower. Jacques 
could do but little to steer the machine and both 
realized that it was only a question of time before 
they would be wrecked. 

“Here we go!” cried Jacques as they suddenly 
swerved and plunged directly at a large poplar 
tree. 

The next moment there was a crash and Leon 
remembered nothing more. 

He opened his eyes some time later; he had no 
idea how long it had been since the crash and 


204 


THE AIR SCOUT 


at first he could not fully recall what had hap- 
pened. He passed his hand over his face and feel- 
ing something warm on his fingers he discovered 
that they were covered with blood. 

Suddenly it all came back to him. He tried to 
sit up and to his great surprise discovered that 
the attempt caused him no inconvenience. His 
head was sore and he knew he must be bleeding 
considerably, but in a few moments he felt well 
enough to rise to his feet. 

Wiping the blood out of his eyes he looked about 
him. The aeroplane was partly on the ground 
and partly hanging on the tree into which it had 
crashed. It was a complete wreck. 

He looked in vain for Jacques. He hurried 
around to the other side of the wreckage, a great 
fear gripping his heart lest he should find his 
comrade dead. 

“Hi, there, Leon,” a voice greeted him. 

The young aviator instantly stopped in amaze- 
ment. 

“Here I am,” called Jacques, for it indeed was 
he. 

Jacques was stretched out on the ground, flat 


A DARING ATTEMPT 


205 


on his back. His legs were caught under a por- 
tion of the wrecked aeroplane and he had been un- 
able to extricate himself. 

4 i Are you hurt ? ’ ’ cried Leon in alarm. 

“No, but you are,” replied Jacques. “Your 
head is simply smeared with blood. ’ ’ 

“It can’t be much for I don’t seem to feel it. 
It’s probably only a scalp wound.” 

“ I ’ll look at it in a moment if you will help me 
to get out from under this machine.” 

Leon grasped the part of the wreckage which 
held his comrade prisoner, and straining with all 
his might he succeeded in raising it a few inches. 
This was enough, however, to allow Jacques to 
wriggle loose, and in a short time he was able to 
pry himself free and stand up. 

“Now let me look at your cut,” he said to Leon. 

The strain of his exertion had caused the wound 
to start bleeding afresh, so that it was difficult for 
Jacques to see just how bad it was. 

“We’ll have to wash it out, I guess,” he said 
after a short examination. “Isn’t there a brook 
near here?” 

“There ought to be one over there,” said Leon, 


206 THE AIR SCOUT 

pointing to a line of willows a short distance from 
them. 

“Come along, and we’ll soon find out.” 

“What are we going to do about the aeroplane f ’ ’ 
inquired Leon, as they made their way across the 
field. 

“Leave it where it is. What else can we do! 
It is a complete wreck and we don’t want to hang 
around here now with a hundred and sixty thou- 
sand German troops coming our way.” 

“It was all my fault that we were wrecked.” 

“Nonsense,” protested Jacques. “That is one 
of the chances an aviator has to run.” 

“I was responsible for our dropping that last 
bomb, though, ’ ’ insisted Leon. “We’d never have 
been touched if we hadn ’t tried that. ’ ’ 

“Please forget about it. Here we are at the 
brook and as soon as you are fixed up we will have 
to start back to our lines as fast as we can go. 
The Germans can’t be very far behind us and we 
haven ’t much time to lose. ’ ’ 

“How far from our troops do you think we 
are?” 

“Twelve or fifteen miles I should say. You 


A DABING ATTEMPT 


207 


see we are not in the best possible place. I 
shouldn’t be surprised to see advance guards of 
German cavalry at any minute now.” 

6 < Let’s hurry, then!” exclaimed Leon. 

“Give me your undershirt,” ordered Jacques. 
“I need it to make a bandage of.” 

Leon quickly complied and then kneeling on the 
bank he leaned out over the water while his com- 
rade carefully washed out his wound. 

“That will soon be well,” remarked Jacques. 
“ It ’s only a cut in the scalp and ought to heal very 
quickly. ’ ’ 

“It stings some now,” said Leon. 

6 1 Of course it does. The cold water would make 
it do that. Stand up now and I’ll put a bandage 
around it. ’ ’ 

He quickly tore the undershirt into strips which 
he then proceeded to wind around Leon’s head. 

“There,” he remarked when he had finished, 
“that ought to fix you, all right. I’ve seen neater 
bandages, but I guess this one will stay on.” 

“It feels first rate,” said Leon. “Now I want 
a drink of water, and then we can start.” 

Both boys lay flat on their stomachs on the bank 


208 THE AIR SCOUT 

and leaned out over the stream sucking in the cool 
water of the running brook. 

4 4 Now I am ready for anything," exclaimed 
Leon, as they stood up after their drink. 4 4 Bring 
on the Uhlans. ’ ’ 

44 I don't want to see any Uhlans, just at pres- 
ent, I can tell you," said Jacques. 4 4 We have 
enough troubles without them. Come along, let's 
follow this stream for a while." 

They quickly set off along the bank, walking 
under the great trees. It seemed very quiet and 
peaceful and there was nothing to remind one that 
the greatest war in the history of the world was 
raging all around them. 

It was a beautiful summer day. The birds were 
singing and the myriads of little insects joined in 
as though there was not a thing in the world that 
need cause them any worry. 

The two young aviators did not feel so care- 
free, however. They were in a perilous position 
and they both realized it to the fullest extent. 
Leon had a constant throbbing in his head to re- 
mind him that such things as battles were being 
fought. Jacques too, though he had said he was 


A DARING ATTEMPT 


209 


unhurt, walked with a slight limp. He had been 
bruised by his fall more than at first he had ad- 
mitted. 

“We ought to strike the road pretty quick, I 
should think,” remarked Leon after a few mo- 
ments. 

“Yes, I can see it ahead of us now,” said 
J acques. 

“Do you think it is safe for us to stick to the 
road?” 

“Not very. But we must make time and we 
might get lost if we go across the country.” 

i ‘ Listen ! ’ 9 exclaimed Leon suddenly. 

Both boys instantly stopped. 

“I hear hoof-beats,” whispered Leon. 

“So do I. Lie low here and we’ll see who it 
is.” 

They crouched down in the bushes, waiting for 
the horsemen to pass. To their amazement, how- 
ever, the pace was evidently slackening and 
finally the horsemen drew rein and stopped. The 
boys heard voices conversing in German, and 
peering out from their hiding place, they saw two 
Uhlans dismount from their horses, not more than 


210 THE AIR SCOUT 

fifty feet distant from where they were stand- 
ing. 

“Only two of them,” whispered Leon. 

“That’s all, I guess,” replied Jacques. 

The Germans had seated themselves under a 
tree by the roadside while their horses cropped 
the grass nearby. They were evidently attached 
to some scouting party and perhaps had outdis- 
tanced their companions. At any rate they 
seemed entirely at ease and were soon smoking 
long pipes and conversing freely. 

“What shall we do about them?” whispered 
Leon. “We can’t go back very well.” 

“Can you ride horseback?” inquired Jacques. 

Leon looked at his friend. He saw at once what 
the thought in the young Frenchman’s mind was, 
and he wasted no time in replying. 

“I certainly can,” he replied. “I wouldn’t 
mind a ride back to camp, either.” 

Jacques reached for his revolver. 

“Come on, then,” he said in a low tone. 

Leon quickly drew his own gun and quietly and 
stealthily the two boys stepped out into the open. 
They were taking a desperate chance, they were 


A DARING ATTEMPT 


211 


well aware, but after all, the odds were not against 
them and they considered the desperate attempt 
worth while. 

The Uhlans still sat nnder the tree with their 
backs toward the young soldiers. They were ap- 
parently unconscious of any danger. Both boys 
knew that the slightest noise would arouse them 
and no North American Indian ever stalked his 
game more carefully than did these two. 

Foot by foot they made their way, each with his 
gun in his hand. Both were hoping desperately 
that nothing would cause the Germans to look 
around. It was nervous work. 

Suddenly, when about fifteen feet distant from 
the Uhlans, Leon stepped on a twig. It snapped 
and caused both the Germans to start and look 
around. 

Realizing that they were discovered and that 
further concealment was impossible, the boys with 
a rush closed in on their opponents. 


CHAPTER XXV 


A RACE FOR LIFE 

B EFORE the Uhlans had a chance to gain 
their feet the hoys were upon them. 
Without conferring, they had each se- 
lected his opponent and the struggle was on in 
earnest. 

Leon fired at his man but missed, and before he 
had a chance to aim a second time he had tripped 
and plunged headlong upon his opponent. Over 
and over upon the ground they rolled, the German 
trying to wrench Leon’s revolver from his hand 
and Leon striving just as desperately to deal a 
blow with it or get into a position where he could 
fire again. 

The Uhlan gripped him by the wrist with both 
hands so that any use of the revolver was out of 
the question. Leon managed to hold his position 
on top, however, and with his free hand he des- 
perately clutched his enemy. Squeezing as hard 
as he possibly could he soon managed to shut off 
212 


A RACE FOR LIFE 213 

the German’s wind to such an extent that he was 
forced to remove one of his hands from Leon’s 
wrist and strive desperately to tear loose the grip 
of his enemy. 

Leon held on desperately, however. At the 
same time, with only one of the Uhlan’s hands hold- 
ing his wrist, he stood more chance of wrenching 
that free. Both the struggling men were breath- 
ing hard, especially the German. His wind was al- 
most shut off and he gurgled as he breathed. 

The German was fighting tigerishly to release 
the viselike hold, and Leon could feel his grasp 
loosening. His fingers were almost numb now 
and he was aware that he could not hold on 
much longer. He had lost considerable blood in 
his accident that morning and a feeling of faint- 
ness began to steal over him. 

With one last supreme effort he wrenched his 
wrist free from the Uhlan’s hold. The next in- 
stant he had dealt his opponent a crushing blow 
behind the ear with the butt of his revolver. A 
shudder ran through the German and he lay still. 

Leon rose to his feet gasping. He was taking 
no chances, however, and quickly divesting the un- 


214 


THE AIR SCOUT 


conscious Uhlan of his belt he hound his legs firmly 
together. His arms he tied firmly behind his back 
with the scarf he secured from his neck. 

Then he turned his attention to Jacques. 

The young Frenchman had lost his revolver at 
the start of the tussle and now a regular wrestling 
match was going on. Both contestants were try- 
ing to grasp each other by the throat and they 
bit, scratched and pounded. As far as Leon could 
see, neither one had any decided advantage over 
the other. 

As soon as the young American went to his 
friend’s aid, however, the contest was settled. In 
a very brief space of time the second Uhlan was 
lying alongside his companion, his legs and arms 
tied up in the same manner. 

“Now for the horses!” cried Jacques. 

The two animals grazing nearby had been 
frightened by the noise of the gun and the strug- 
gle. They were not far away, however, and 
proved easy for Leon and Jacques to catch. They 
were beautiful mounts and appeared to be capa- 
ble of both speed and endurance. 

A moment later the two boys were in the sad- 


A EACE FOR LIFE 


215 


die, their horses’ heads pointed south, once more 
on their way to the lines of the Allies. They had 
left the two Uhlans lying by the road-side where 
they were sure to be found by the next detachment 
of cavalry that passed. The men were not gagged 
and would undoubtedly use their voices when they 
heard their countrymen approaching. 

“I wish we could bring them in as prisoners,’ ’ 
remarked Jacques in a disappointed voice. 

“ So do I,” agreed Leon. “I’ll tell you what I 
am going to do, though. ’ ’ 

He quickly dismounted and running over to the 
spot where the Uhlans were lying he stripped them 
of their helmets. O/ne he presented to Jacques 
and the other he kept for himself. 

“These ought to make pretty good trophies,” he 
remarked. 

“That’s a fine idea,” exclaimed Jacques. “I’ll 
send this home to my old father.” 

Leon once more climbed into his saddle and as 
he did so, glanced hack down the road. What he 
saw startled him beyond measure. 

4 ‘ Look ! ” he cried. ‘ ‘ Look down the road there, 
Jacques !” 


216 


THE AIR SCOUT 


Jacques did so. 

“Uhlans !” he said. “Thousands of them.” 

“This is no place for us,” exclaimed Leon. 
“We’ll have to run for it.” 

Immediately they set spurs to their horses and 
started down the road at a full gallop. 

“Are they following us?” called Jacques. 

“They certainly are,” replied Leon, glancing 
behind him. 

The Uhlans were about a half-mile distant and 
it was evident that they suspected the two horse- 
men ahead of them. About ten of the Germans 
had left the main body and at full speed were rac- 
ing down the road in pursuit. 

Leon and Jacques bent low over their horses’ 
necks and dug their spurs into their flanks. The 
animals responded nobly and the race was on. 

Down the road they dashed at a breakneck speed. 
Every few moments Leon and Jacques would look 
behind to see if their pursuers were gaining. The 
Uhlans were now strung out in a long line, three 
men who evidently possessed the swiftest steeds, 
being in advance. 

“They’re gaining,” shouted Leon. 


A RACE FOR LIFE 


217 


J acques made no reply other than to bend lower 
in his saddle and dig in his spurs a little deeper. 

So far they had covered about three miles and 
the pursuing Germans had cut down their lead. 
The three in advance were not more than a quarter 
of a mile behind now. 

The two boys, fleeing for their lives, begged and 
implored their horses to go faster. The noble 
animals were evidently doing their utmost, but it 
was a question whether or not even that would be 
enough. 

Above the noise of the flying hoofs Leon heard 
a volley of shots fired from behind them. A bullet 
sang past his ears, but neither boy had any inten- 
tion of stopping. At least, not unless the horses 
broke down. 

Mile after mile they covered. The Uhlans did 
not seem to be gaining any now. Also it did not 
seem as if flesh and blood could endure the gruel- 
ling pace the horses were maintaining. It was 
evidently only a question of time before the end of 
the wild flight must come. 

They could not be very far from the French out- 
posts now, thought Leon. He wondered how close 


218 


THE AIR SCOUT 


the Uhlans would dare to come to the hostile lines 
and he murmured a prayer that his horse would 
hold out a few moments longer. 

Another volley of shots rang out. 

Suddenly Leon’s horse stumbled. Its knees 
sagged and it fell to the ground, pitching its rider 
over its head into a ditch beside the road. 

Leon was unhurt, however, and sprang to his 
feet at once. Jacques also had pulled up his horse. 

“Go on! Go on!” yelled Leon in his loudest 
tones. 

Jacques paid no attention to his comrade’s warn- 
ing but turned and started back. 

“ Go on ! ” screamed Leon. ‘ ‘ Don’t wait for me ! 
There is no use in both of us being caught. ’ ’ 

He drew his revolver and turned to face the on- 
rushing Uhlans. With a cry of triumph they were 
racing forward, brandishing their long lances and 
shouting in German. 

They were scarcely a hundred yards distant now, 
and Leon thought that it would soon be all over as 
far as he was concerned. He was prepared to 
die fighting, however, and taking careful aim he 
fired at the foremost Uhlan. But the distance was 


A EACE FOE LIFE 


219 


too great for accurate shooting and his bullet went 
wide of its mark. 

With undiminished speed his enemies came on. 
Jacques had quickly dismounted and taken his 
place by the side of his comrade. It seemed as if 
both boys were doomed. 

Suddenly from the top of a little knoll in their 
rear came the rattle of a machine gun. 

The three advancing Uhlans crumpled up like 
paper and fell in a heap on the roadside. Their 
companions seeing what had happened, immedi- 
ately turned and fled at their utmost speed in the 
opposite direction. 

Leon and Jacques were so surprised at this sud- 
den turn of events that for some moments they 
were unable to comprehend what had occurred. 

Then a shout from the top of the hill attracted 
their attention and they turned to see fifteen or 
twenty men in the uniform of the French infantry 
calling to them. These men soon joined the boys 
by the roadside and Jacques learned that they 
were a scouting party sent out from the same di- 
vision to which he and Leon were attached. 

They had watched the mad race, had recognized 


220 


THE AIR SCOUT 


the French and German uniforms by the aid of 
their held glasses, and had only been waiting for 
the Uhlans to come within range. They had recog- 
nized the two young aviators, and as they had 
been in the crowd to greet them when they had re- 
turned from their previous exploit against the 
Germans they were overjoyed to be of assistance 
at this exciting moment. 

The three Uhlans were found to be dead, two 
of their horses were so badly wounded that they 
had to be shot, and the one Leon had ridden 
proved to be in the same condition. 

To the young American this was almost the 
hardest part of the whole affair. To this beauti- 
ful animal’s speed, endurance and nerve he owed 
his life. The horse ’s great brown eyes were filled 
with an expression of pain and suffering, all due 
to a quarrel in which he had had no voice. It 
seemed a shame that this faithful animal should 
lose his life innocently and merely because he had 
done his duty. 

Leon turned away while a revolver was placed 
at the horse’s head and it was instantly freed from 
its suffering. 


A RACE FOR LIFE 


221 


“Our lines are only a mile away,” said Jacques. 

“Are these men going back?” inquired Leon. 

“Yes. I told them of the German army ap- 
proaching and they think it wise to report for 
further orders.” 

“Well, I’m ready to start at any time.” 

The little company marched otf down the road, 
the rapid-fire gun, drawn by a team of big Belgian 
dogs, leading the way. 

They soon passed the sentries and reaching their 
quarters they hastened to make their report. On 
their way back they met the same big Irish soldier 
who had talked to them a few days before. 

“Hello, me boys,” he greeted them. 

“Hello, there,” said Leon. 

“What have yez been doin’ now to git that rag 
around yer head?” he demanded of Leon. 

Leon related their experiences.* 

“Well, all I can say is,” exclaimed the Irish- 
man, “that if youse two ain’t more careful, Kaiser 
Willie will be after settin’ a price on yer heads. 
The idea of tying up poor innicent German sol- 
diers and then to be after stealing the very hilmits 
otf o ’ their heads ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTER XXVI 


BEFORE THE BATTLE 

S a result of tlie news that Leon and 



Jacques had brought in, the order was 


soon given for the army to march. It 


was decided to withdraw to the westward and take 
up their position near the city of Mons. The com- 
manders considered that a more favorable spot 
from which to challenge the German advance than 
the one which they now occupied. 

It was evident that the enemy was pushing for- 
ward in great numbers, in fact, overwhelming num- 
bers as far as the present force of the Allies was 
concerned. Near Mons, reenforcements had been 
received from the French army, withdrawn from 
Alsace and Lorraine. 

Consequently the order to move was given. 

Leon and Jacques marched along with the rest 
of the troops and in an incredibly short time the 
army was under marching orders. Squads of cav- 


222 


BEFORE THE BATTLE 


223 


airy were sent out in advance, on both flanks, and 
also kept in the rear. They acted as a screen to the 
main army and could easily report the presence in 
the vicinity of any hostile forces. 

It now was late in the day and the dusk was 
rapidly drawing on. The long lines of soldiers, 
stretching out into the gray distance, the lumber- 
ing gun-carriages, the many ammunition and sup- 
ply wagons, all made a most impressive scene to 
the young American boy who had cast in his for- 
tune with France in the great war. 

Then far off down the line came a sound from 
the English troops. 

“Are we downhearted V ’ called some one of 
them. 

“ No ! ’ ’ came back the reply of a thousand voices. 

A band somewhere ahead struck up the Mar- 
seillaise and unconsciously the pace of the French 
soldiers quickened. Soon they were marching 
along more buoyantly and with more life, and as 
they sang the words softly under their breath an 
indistinct murmur arose all along the lines of 
troops. As the strains of that wonderful tune 
came to Leon’s ears he caught something of the 


224 


THE AIR SCOUT 


same spirit that had affected the others. A wave 
of emotion swelled up inside his breast and fur- 
tively he brushed a tear from his cheek. 

This was love of country. Thousands of men 
leaving wives, parents, and children to give up 
their lives for their land. Crops, just ripe for the 
harvest, had been left standing in the fields with 
no one to reap them. The men were at the front, 
not fighting for glory or for fame, but for their 
country, and as the strains of the Marseillaise 
swelled through the deepening dusk Leon won- 
dered if there was a man there who would go back 
home now if he had the opportunity. 

If so, he had seen no signs of such a wish. 

At last the music ceased and the army marched 
on in silence. 

‘ ‘ How far is it to Mons ? ’ ’ asked Leon of his com- 
rade. 

“ About twenty miles, I should say. We have a 
long tramp ahead of us,” replied Jacques. 

“That doesn’t bother me now,” said Leon. 
“You know I feel in splendid condition; I don’t 
even seem to get tired any more and certainly 
we’ve done enough to make us so.” 


BEFORE THE BATTLE 


225 


“You’re right there,” Jacques agreed. “All 
this strenuous exercise does make you harder, 
though. ’ 9 

“I should say it did. I feel as hard as nails; 
why, I don’t believe even a German bullet would 
have any effect on me now.” 

“Don’t be so sure of that,” said Jacques seri- 
ously. 

“Well, they couldn’t hit us to-day,” laughed 
Leon. 

“Say, though,” he exclaimed, “those Uhlans 
had good nerve to follow us as close to our lines as 
they did. ’ ’ 

“No one ever accused the Germans of being 
cowards, as far as I know,” replied Jacques. 

“Well, that wasn’t only nerve; it seems to me 
it was foolhardiness.” 

“Perhaps they didn’t know how close they were 
to our lines,” suggested Jacques. 

* ‘ I guess they couldn ’t have known. How would 
you like to have understood German and stood 
around and listened to what those two fellows we 
tied up were saying?” 

“I’m afraid the language would have shocked 


226 THE AIR SCOUT 

my ears,” said the young Frenchman laughingly. 

“Do you think they’re still there?” 

“No, indeed. I’m sure they let out a few yells 
when they heard their countrymen passing. I’d 
hate to meet either of those men again and have 
him recognize us, wouldn’t you? I think they’d 
do their best to pay us for what we did to them.” 

“Well, I should say so!” exclaimed Leon. 

It was midnight when they arrived at their des- 
tination. No stop had been made for supper, so 
now the fires were lighted and the commissary 
department put to work. Hot coffee, bread and 
bacon were served to everyone and then the army 
rolled itself in its blankets and went to sleep. 

Shortly after daybreak the bugles sounded and 
before long everyone was put to work digging 
trenches. Leon and Jacques worked along with 
the others, digging the ditches and throwing the 
dirt up as an additional protection. Long rows 
of the trenches soon appeared; in back of which 
the artillery was set up and placed as a cover for 
the infantry fire. 

“When do they expect the Germans to attack 


BEFORE THE BATTLE 227 

us?” asked Leon of his comrade during a pause 
for rest. 

“No one knows, I guess, but at almost any time, 
now. Personally, I think they are more apt to 
begin an attack at daybreak than any other time.” 

“Why is that?” 

“Well, they can bring their troops up into posi- 
tion under cover of darkness and have them in 
position when it gets light. If they tried it in 
the daytime we could follow their movements very 
easily.” 

“That sounds reasonable, all right,” agreed 
Leoii. ‘ ‘ Then we can expect an attack to-morrow 
morning. ’ ’ 

“Possibly. No one can tell.” 

“I’d like to be in an aeroplane now looking for 
the Germans,” exclaimed Leon. “Also dropping 
a few bombs down on their heads, would suit me.” 

“Not much chance of that just now, I’m afraid,” 
said Jacques. “You see we’ve lost quite a large 
number of machines lately, and until we can get 
some new ones I imagine you and I will be just 
common everyday soldiers. ’ ’ 


228 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Well,” laughed Leon, “ digging ditches is fine 
exercise anyway. Let’s do some more of it.” 

Practically all day long they toiled. The vast 
number of workers had accomplished the task in 
a very short time, so that by late afternoon every- 
thing was announced to be in readiness. A series 
of trenches had been dug, each one supplementing 
the others. If the French were driven out of the 
first line they could withdraw to the next and find 
just as good protection there as in the other. 

The German troops being the aggressors would 
have to keep in the open more or less. Conse- 
quently the advantage would lie with the Allies. 

At least the advantage of position would be on 
their side. It was generally believed that the Ger- 
mans would far outnumber their opponents and 
by sheer weight of numbers be able to batter their 
way through* 

Leon and Jacques were discussing this ques- 
tion. 

“It may be like two foot ball teams,” suggested 
Leon. “One team heavier than the other is able 
to gain slowly even if they aren’t any better play- 


BEFORE THE BATTLE 


229 


“I do not understand,” said Jacques. 

“Of course you don’t,” laughed Leon. “I for- 
got that you would know nothing about American 
football.” 

“I have read of it,” said Jacques, “and I have 
also seen pictures. The players wear great pads 
and guards on their heads, such as aviators use. 
It is a cruel game and many people are wounded 
in it.” 

Jacques’s description of his favorite game 
amused Leon immensely. He rolled on the ground 
in his merriment. 

“Not many people are wounded by it,” he ex- 
plained. “You receive plenty of bumps and hard 
knocks but they are good for you. Very few play- 
ers are seriously injured if they are in good physi- 
cal condition. ’ ’ 

“Is that so!” exclaimed Jacques in surprise. 
“I always understood that several people were 
killed in every game.” 

“You must think it is something like war,” said 
Leon delightedly. 

“Yes, but not quite so bad,” explained Jacques. 

“No,” said Leon, “it isn’t nearly so bad as war. 


230 THE AIR SCOUT 

I will take you to a game sometime when you come 
to America. ’ ’ 

“I should love to go to America / 9 exclaimed 
Jacques, his eyes shining. 

“Well, what do you say to going to bed first V 9 
said Leon. “We need some sleep before this bat- 
tle starts to-morrow. ,, 

“Why do you say it starts to-morrow V 9 

“I don’t know, but it might as well commence 
then as any other time. I’m all ready.” 

‘ ‘ And so am I, ’ ’ said J acques. “ No w f or bed. ’ ’ 

It seemed to the two young soldiers that they 
had scarcely rolled themselves in their blankets 
before they were awakened again. Bugles were 
sounding on every side and all was hustle and 
bustle. 

The two boys were instantly on their feet and 
soon joined the regiment to which they had been 
assigned. 

“What is happening?” Leon inquired. 

“The Germans are preparing to attack,” re- 
plied Jacques, after a hurried conversation in 
French with one of his countrymen. “They are 


BEFORE THE BATTLE 231 

reported to be advancing in great numbers and 
we are going to oppose them this morning. ’ ’ 

It was not yet daylight. Everything was in 
darkness, but this only added to the excitement. 
No one could see very much or tell what was 
about to happen and the uncertainty added to the 
thrill of the situation. 

“We’re moving,” exclaimed Jacques a few mo- 
ments later as one of the bugles sounded. 

All about him Leon could see dark masses mov- 
ing past, everyone headed due north. Soon their 
regiment started also and in silence they marched 
along. There was no singing or cheering now; 
everybody was serious and silent, while an air of 
tenseness pervaded the entire army. 

They advanced about a mile from the camp and 
then came the command to halt. A few sharp 
orders were given and the soldiers quickly began 
to take their places in the trenches. Leon found 
himself side by side with Jacques as they knelt in 
their positions. 

Both boys were eager for the fighting to com- 
mence. The uncertainty and waiting were nerve- 


232 


THE AIR SCOUT 


racking and they both felt that when the battle 
really started it would be a relief. 

‘ 4 They won’t attack before the sun comes up,” 
said Jacques. “Why don’t you try to get some 
sleep?” 

i 1 Do you think I could sleep at a time like this ? ’ ’ 
exclaimed Leon. “There is not the slightest 
chance of it.” 

In silence they waited, peering straight ahead 
of them while minute after minute passed. Sud- 
denly, after what seemed a long time, a ray of 
light shot across the sky and in the east the rosy 
reflection of the rising sun could be seen on the 
clouds. 

At that moment a cannon boomed out in front. 
A shell passed over their heads, screaming as it 
went. It burst with a roar somewhere in the rear 
of the place where the two boys were stationed. 

The battle was on. 


CHAPTER XXVII 


THE BATTLE IS ON 

A NOTHER shell followed the first. Then 
another and another came, but the Allies 
did not reply. 

An officer, coming forward to the trenches 
where Leon and Jacques were stationed, brought 
the information that the German aim was poor 
and that so far but little damage had been done. 
Evidently they had not found the range. 

Soon the firing ceased altogether. Gradually 
the sky grew lighter and lighter so that it was pos- 
sible to recognize objects at a little distance. Leon 
glanced about him; he could see the determined 
faces of the men in the trenches with him ; in back 
were the hills where their artillery was stationed, 
the mists still enveloping the summits. 

Suddenly he heard a faint whirr and looking 
into the sky over his head he saw an aeroplane. 
It sailed dangerously low and seemed to be fol- 
lowing the line of the French defenses. 

233 


234 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“Look there !” he exclaimed. 

“They’re getting our range,” cried Jacques. 
“See how the machine flies just above us. The 
Germans will know where we are now.” 

“Why don’t they shoot at it?” said Leon ex- 
citedly. 

As he spoke there was heard the bark of a ma- 
chine gun from the hills in back of them. The 
aeroplane suddenly crumpled up and pitched 
headlong to the ground, a mass of useless machin- 
ery and wood. 

“That’s the way!” exclaimed Jacques. “But 
suppose you and I were in that aeroplane, Leon.” 

“Don’t speak of it. Look, here comes an- 
other!” 

Sure enough a second machine appeared, fol- 
lowing in the course of the first. And it soon fol- 
lowed the fate of the first one, too. 

“Two machines gone and I don’t know how 
many lives,” remarked Leon calmly. 

“What do the Germans care for machines or 
lives?” exclaimed his comrade excitedly. “They 
want to find the range and they don’t care how 
much it costs them. Their officers throw away 


THE BATTLE IS ON 


235 


the lives of their soldiers as if they were worth 
nothing. The German soldiers are just mechanical 
men who do as they are told and nothing more. 
Each man is a part of the big machine and that is 
all.” 

“It’s lucky for them they have plenty of lives to 
waste, isn’t it?’ 

“Yes,” said Jacques, “but before we are done 
with them they won’t have quite so many.” 

Once more a cannon boomed ; again a shell went 
whistling over their heads. All along a great fan- 
shaped line the German artillery now began its 
bombardment. Shot after shot and shell after 
shell came pouring into the Allied lines. 

Then the French artillery began to reply. The 
roar of the heavy guns became deafening and the 
infantry lying in the trenches had to yell to make 
their voices heard. They had nothing to do now 
but wait. Rifle-fire was of no value at present. 

All at once they saw a huge blue-gray mass ap- 
proaching. From a distance it seemed to have no 
definite shape and for a moment it appeared as if 
a part of the landscape itself was moving. 

“The German infantry,” shouted Jacques. 


236 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“I see them,” replied Leon, and he gave one 
final glance at his rifle. 

Then they waited. 

On, on and still on came the great hordes of the 
Kaiser’s men. In close formation they marched 
and were spread ont over a vast area of ground. 
They were still seven or eight hundred yards away 
and no order to fire had as yet been given. 

The German artillery-fire increased in volume 
as the foot soldiers came up. It was evident that 
their purpose was to protect the advance as much 
as possible. 

Nearer and nearer came the Germans. When 
they were about five hundred yards distant the 
order came to fire. The rifles in the hands of the 
Allies spat out their bullets and the front rank 
of the Germans was seen to waver. Only for a 
second, however, did it falter. The enemy still 
kept up their approach at undiminished speed. 

Above the noise of the battle there arose the 
^bund of a song. The Germans were singing their 
national hymn, “The Watch on the Rhine.” It 
was an inspiring and awful sound at such a time. 
The music rising from the throats of thousands 


THE BATTLE IS ON. 237 

of men walking into the very jaws of death was a 
sad and terrible thing. 

Nearer yet came the Germans. Then the 
French machine-gnns began to send forth their 
volleys. The closely packed masses of Germans 
offered targets easy to hit and the slaughter was 
frightful. Whole ranks were mowed down as 
wheat in the harvest field falls before the scythe. 
A shell bursting among the dense hordes would 
open up yawning gaps where only a moment be- 
fore men had been seen. 

The gaps always closed up immediately, how- 
ever. The onrushing troops seemed to have an 
inexhaustible supply of men. They moved 
bravely forward, the ranks about three feet apart. 
A man in the front rank would go down and his 
place was instantly filled by the soldier in back of 
him. 

The slaughter, however, was not confined en- 
tirely to the German side. There were dead men 
in the trenches where Leon and Jacques were ly- 
ing. Wounded were being carried to the rear con- 
stantly. The big Irishman who had spoken to 
the boys several times was borne past them on a 


238 


THE AIR SCOUT 


stretcher. A rifle ball had passed through his 
left arm, while a fragment of a bursting shell had 
torn the muscles away from the calf of his leg. 

He was protesting vigorously, however, that he 
was all right, and that he should be allowed to re- 
main in the fight. 

Few of the French had been injured by the 
rifle-fire of their enemies. The aim of the Ger- 
man soldiers appeared to be poor. Their artil- 
lery, now that they had the range, however, was 
deadly, and what execution was done to the Allies 
could be blamed on the big Krupp guns. 

For what might have been six hours or sixty 
minutes, as far as Leon and Jacques were able to 
estimate the passing time, the battle continued at 
its full height. The German infantry had availed 
themselves of whatever scanty covering the field 
had to offer. They were not in nearly as strong 
a position as the Allies, however. 

“They’re retreating,” exclaimed Leon sud- 
denly. 

“You’re right!” agreed Jacques. “They’re 
not defeated yet, though, and they’ll be back again 
soon.” 


THE BATTLE IS ON 


239 


Sure enough tlie German troops were with- 
drawing. They went slowly and in good order. 
The French machine-guns and mittrailleuses still 
raked their lines and many were left on the battle 
held, either dead or abandoned. 

For a time there was a lull in the fighting. 

“What’s the idea of stopping?” asked Leon. 

“I don’t know, unless the Germans are about to 
attempt something new. ’ ’ 

* ‘ How long have we been fighting here ? ’ ’ 

“About three hours I should say,” replied 
Jacques, glancing at the sun. 

“Whew, I had no idea how long it had 
been.” 

Fresh ammunition was brought up to the sol- 
diers. Many of the men, almost completely ex- 
hausted by the strain of the battle, stretched 
themselves out at full length in the trenches for a 
few moments of rest. All along the lines the sol- 
diers were munching the food from their knap- 
sacks and taking long pulls at their canteens. 
The day was intensely warm, and it was a dirty, 
powder-smirched body of men that Leon saw as he 
glanced about him. 


240 


THE AIR SCOUT 


“We sent them back once and maybe we can do 
it again/ ’ said Leon to bis comrade. 

“They ’ll try something else this time, I think/ ’ 

A moment later the German artillery reopened 
fire, this time more determinedly than at first. 
There was a constant roar of big guns and it 
seemed as if the army must have received reen- 
forcements. 

The batteries of the Allies, stationed around on 
the different hills, replied strongly. The Ger- 
mans apparently were bending every effort to put 
these guns out of commission. The shells all flew 
over the trenches, aimed at the heavy guns of the 
Allies in the rear. 

“I see their plan, ’ ’ exclaimed Leon suddenly. 

“What is it?” 

“They’re trying to silence our batteries before 
they attempt to send their infantry forward 
again.” 

“You think so?” 

“I’m sure of it. They lost too many men be- 
fore and our artillery was mostly to blame for 
that. If the Germans can put that out of business 
they can rush our lines. ’ ’ 


THE BATTLE IS ON 


241 


The cannonade was becoming frightful. Tons 
of lead and steel swept across the trenches, a veri- 
table tornado of death. Gradually the fire of the 
Allies seemed to slacken. One after another the 
batteries became quiet, and the German fire was 
concentrated on the few that still remained active. 

‘‘They’re doing what you said, Leon,” re- 
marked Jacques. “One by one they’ve silenced 
our guns.” 

“It looks so, doesn’t it?” 

“We’ll see the German infantry coming up 
again in a minute. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Here they come now. More than at first, too. ’ ’ 

The order was passed along the trenches that no 
one was to fire until the command was given. 

The German guns were now turned on the 
trenches. Only three of the batteries of the Allies 
seemed to be doing anything at all and these fired 
only an occasional shot. 

“We’ll be slaughtered right here,” said Jacques 
in a low voice. 

“I know it,” replied Leon. “It seems foolish 
to stay here when all our big guns are out of com- 
mission.” 


242 


THE AIR SCOUT 


4 ‘Well, let’s shoot a few before they get us, any- 
way,” said Jacques desperately. 

“Yes, we can at least do that.” 

The great masses of German soldiers could once 
more he seen advancing. They came faster this 
time, as if filled with confidence. The Allies’ bat- 
teries were now silent and they did not fear the 
rifle-fire so much. 

Nearer and nearer they came, sweeping on like 
a great human tidal wave. Still no order to fire 
was given. Leon was almost wild with impatience. 
It seemed to him that if they were being left in 
the trenches to be engulfed by overwhelming num- 
bers, they at least should be given an opportunity 
to defend themselves. 

On came the Germans. This time they were 
singing another song, something Leon did not rec- 
ognize. They must have been within three hun- 
dred yards of his trench when at last the order to 
fire was passed along the lines. 

There was the sharp rattle of musketry from 
the intrenched Allies and at the same time the 
batteries on the hill behind poured a rain of death 
into the advancing Germans. Leon was as- 


THE BATTLE IS ON 


243 


founded. Here were these guns that only a few 
moments before had seemed to he silenced, now as 
active as ever they had been. 

The German lines simply melted before this 
terrific onslaught. Whole platoons and companies 
of men seemed to disappear abruptly from the face 
of the earth. The lines staggered momentarily 
hut still on they came. The Germans coming 
from behind, did not falter for an instant and still 
forward swept the great wave. 

Over the dead bodies of their comrades they 
came without hesitation or apparent fear. It was 
a wonderfully brave and sickening sight. Fire as 
they would the Allies simply could not load their 
guns and shoot their enemies fast enough to stem 
the onrushing tide. 

The order came to fall hack. 

In perfect order and with losses that were small 
compared with the Germans’, the Allies left their 
trenches and prepared to retreat to the next line 
of their defenses. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


CONCLUSION 

T HE German advance had been momentarily 
checked. The Allies, leaving their posi- 
tions, moved slowly back, still pouring a 
deadly rain of bullets into the forces of the 
enemy. 

Side by side Leon and Jacques withdrew. The 
roar of the battle was deafening, while all about 
them men fell dead or wounded. The two boys 
had become insensible to such things, however, 
and in the heat of the fight they took everything 
as a matter of course. 

Neither was able to explain why it was that he 
now felt not the slightest nervousness or fear; 
and as calmly as two veterans of a dozen cam- 
paigns they loaded and fired their rifles as fast as 
they were able. 

Suddenly a shout arose on their left. The 
color-bearer of their regiment had fallen, shot 

244 


CONCLUSION 


245 


down as lie made his way to the rear. For some 
reason he had been at quite a long distance behind 
the rest of his troops and was consequently the 
target of many German guns. 

Face downward on the field he lay, the French 
tri-color prone on the ground. 

“Our flag!” shouted Jacques, instantly rushing 
forward. 

“I’m with you, Jacques,” cried Leon, and only 
a step behind his comrade he ran at full speed in 
an effort to regain the lost standard. 

As they detached themselves from their troops 
and appeared between the two battle lines, a cheer 
went up from the Allied soldiers. At the same 
time the German riflemen tried desperately to cut 
them down. The bullets screamed and whistled 
past their ears in a never-ending procession. 

But they did not hesitate. On they ran, protect- 
ing themselves as best they were able by dodging 
behind trees or stumps whenever such scant pro- 
tection offered itself. Spellbound the soldiers 
watched the two daring youths. 

It seemed as if they must fall at any minute, but 
still they pushed forward. Once Jacques stum- 


246 


THE AIR SCOUT 


bled and pitched headlong. A moan arose from 
the Allies who thought he was hit, but a moment 
later Leon had grasped him by the arm, raised 
him to his feet and once more they sped forward. 

There was no cover of any kind within a hun- 
dred feet of the flag. Coming to this spot the 
two boys hesitated for the fraction of a second 
as if steeling themselves for the last rush. Then 
with heads low they rushed out into the open. 

Not one man watching them thought for an 
instant that they could ever reach their goal. 
Some guardian angel must have been watching 
over them, however, for they seemed to be un- 
touched. They reached the flag. 

Seizing it in both hands Jacques swung it around 
his head. 

“Vive la France !” he shouted. 

A mighty cheer heard even above the noise of 
the battle issued from thousands of throats. It 
was a wonderful exhibition of nerve and daring 
which the brave young Frenchman had given. 

But it was not all over yet. They still had the 
return journey to make, and they wasted no time. 
Jacques still held the flag high over his head as 



SEIZING IT IN BOTH HANDS JACQUES SWUNG IT AROUND 

HIS HEAD. 


Page 246 




















9 






























• • 












CONCLUSION 247 

they ran towards the French lines. A rifle hall 
from one of the German guns broke the pole off 
short. 

The flag fluttered to the ground, but both boys 
seized it at once and again raised it to view. 
Jacques held it with both hands in front with Leon 
following behind, much in the manner of two men 
lifting a trunk. There was now no pole to hold 
on to, and as the two young soldiers ran with the 
flag above their heads they gave the appearance 
of a great striped, four-legged animal hurrying 
across the country. 

Over countless bodies of dead Germans, French, 
English and Belgians, they picked their way. 
Thicker than ever the bullets flew about their ears. 
Soldiers appreciated their bravery on the field of 
battle, everyone of their compatriots recognized 
the marvelous daring of the two boys. Men 
begged them to bring the flag back safely, not 
seeming to realize that their entreaties could not 
possibly be heard or do the least good. Many a 
grim and battle-scarred soldier breathed a prayer 
for the safe return of their two young comrades. 

Nearer and nearer to their own lines they came. 


248 


THE AIR SCOUT 


It seemed miraculous that they should still be 
alive, but they evidently were, and very much so, 
too. 

Soon they reached one of the trenches. Here 
they had to climb down and up on the other side ; 
they were out of sight for a moment and then re- 
appeared an instant later. 

They stood on the edge of the trench and 
waved the flag above their heads. With their 
backs to their own lines they shook their fists at 
the German troopers and shouted defiance to the 
Kaiser and all his men. 

Then all at once Leon felt a stinging sensation 
in his right shoulder. It seemed to him as though 
someone had thrust a red hot needle into his 
flesh. Black specks danced before his eyes and 
he became dizzy. He felt himself sinking to his 
knees, and then everything suddenly became dark. 

When Leon opened his eyes again he did not 
recall just what had taken place. He found him- 
self lying on a rough cot in a huge tent. All 
around him were other cots on which other men 


CONCLUSION 249 

also were lying. It all seemed very strange to 
the young soldier. 

All at once he remembered. He must be 
wounded, he thought, and was now in the hospital. 
He tried to raise himself on his elbow, hut a sharp 
pain in his right shoulder caused him to sink back 
with a groan. It all came back to him clearly 
now. 

Where was Jacques'? he wondered. They had 
both been standing together on the edge of the 
trench when he was hit. Had his comrade been 
wounded too? Perhaps he had been killed. He 
must find out at once. 

Once more he tried to raise himself. It was a 
very painful proceeding but he managed to ac- 
complish it at last. 

4 ‘Well, the saints prasarve us!” a voice ex- 
claimed from the adjoining cot. 

Leon looked quickly around. In the bed next 
to him was his Irish friend whom he had seen 
carried from the field. 

“Where did youse come from?” demanded the 
Irishman. 


250 


THE AIR SCOUT 


44 I don’t know,” replied Leon. “I guess I was 
shot.” 

“I guess probably yez was. It’s a great mys- 
tery to me yez haven’t been kilt long before this. 
Where’s yir daredivil friend?” 

4 4 I wish I knew, ’ ’ said Leon earnestly. 4 4 Where 
are we anyway?” 

“We’re in the Rid Cross tint, not fer from 
Mons.” 

4 4 Who won the battle?” 

44 Thot I can’t say fer sure. I think, though, 
that our min were finally driven off . ’ ’ 

4 4 What a shame!” Leon exclaimed. 

4 4 It is a shame, but niwer you fear, me boy, 
I belave it is all a part of our plan, and fer my 
part I’d rayther win th’ lasht fight than th’ 
firrst. ’ ’ 

4 4 That’s true,” agreed Leon. 4 4 It counts more, 
I guess.” 

4 4 Did youse see how we fooled thim Germans?” 

4 4 When do you mean?” 

4 4 Whin we pratinded that all o’ our batteries 
was out of business. Thot was a foine trick the 
Inglish larned in the Boer War in Africa. We’d 


CONCLUSION 


251 


stop tliim guns wan at a toime as if they was no 
good. Tliin whin the Germans got the idea that 
we couldn’t harrm thim no more, they come for- 
ward wid a rush. Oh, but didn ’t we let thim have 
it thin, though.” 

“So that was all done on purpose, was it?” in- 
quired Leon. “I couldn’t understand what was 
happening at the time.” 

Just then a nurse approached. 

“Look here, you two,” she said sharply. 
“What do you mean by all this talking? Don’t 
you know you are both wounded and must keep 
still?” 

“Wounded, me eye!” exclaimed the Irishman. 
“I’ll be back in the fight agin in about twinty- 
four hours and I’m goin’ to git mesilf wan o’ 
thim German hilmits like me young frind here 
brought home the other day.” 

The nurse laughed in spite of herself. Then 
she turned to Leon. 

“There was a friend of yours here not long 
ago,” she said. 

“Jacques Dineau?” asked Leon eagerly. 

“Yes, and you’d better be thankful to him. 


252 


THE AIR SCOUT 


When you were wounded he carried you on his 
back, flag and all, to safety. I’ve heard all about 
you two, everyone is talking of the way you went 
after that flag.” 

“Is Jacques all right?” demanded Leon. 

“He most certainly is.” 

“Thank heaven for that. When can I see 
him?” 

“I’ve no idea. I think he was ordered away 
and I think it’s a very lucky thing, too. You are 
two very brave but very reckless young men. ’ ’ 

Leon ignored this remark. 

“How badly am I wounded?” he asked. “I 
don’t believe it can be very much. It certainly 
doesn’t feel so.” 

“You’d better go to sleep now,” the nurse said, 
smiling evasively. 

“Tell me,” insisted Leon, “how long will it be 
before I can rejoin my regiment?” 

“If you must know,” she replied, “I’m sorry 
to say it will be within about three days.” 














































































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